F1 Academy organizes a rookie test, three French F4 drivers at the meeting

As the years go by, the F1 Academy has strengthened its status as a standard-bearer. While it doesn't offer any real sporting guarantees to its drivers, the all-female series allows its members to benefit from unparalleled media exposure, in addition to support provided by the academies of Formula 1 themselves. Thus, it is as a true springboard that the category assumes its rank.

On September 17th and 18th, 18 young drivers will participate in a test alongside the official tests, which tend to lock in the presence of the young women selected for the following season. In this case, these two days of detection will take place on the Navarre circuit, 4,313 km long, located in northern Spain.

Spread over two days, this test will be divided into two distinct parts. On the first day, the various teams involved in F1 Academy will administer a series of tests in the form of exercises designed to assess the candidates' physical and cognitive abilities. The second day will be dedicated to the track, with six hours of driving planned for each of the young women aged 15 to 21 included in the program.

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Aged just 15, Iron Dame Lisa Billard, currently competing in FFSA F4, will be among those taking part. Showing her potential since the start of her young career, she will try to make a good impression with a view to a second consecutive season in car, even as she aims for the title of best female driver in this 2025 season on the national level. She will be accompanied in particular by her peers, Annabelle Brian and Jade Jacquet, also present on the FFSA F4 grid since the beginning of the year.

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As a real turnover is expected on the F1 Academy grid next year, with the scheduled departures of figures such as Dorian Pin, Chloe Chambers, or Maya Weug (it is indeed impossible for a driver to complete more than two seasons in the series), the competition is preparing its revival, and seems to be inclined to bet on youth, if not inexperience. A criticism often made at this level, the lack of perspective of the drivers involved constitutes precisely one of the important criteria, allowing in particular those concerned to develop for the future.

“Over the past three years, the global female talent pool has strengthened and competition has intensified, and our priority is to ensure the best possible drivers compete in F1 Academy, Suzie comments Wolff, general director of the competition. Through this test, we are giving eighteen of the most promising talents a fair platform to demonstrate that they deserve a place on an F1 Academy starting grid.”