New Faces on the Grid: Meet the Rising Stars of F1 Academy 2026

Ella Lloyd, F1 Academy

Every new season of F1 Academy brings fresh energy—but 2026 might be the most exciting shake-up yet. With a wave of rookie drivers stepping into full-time seats, the grid is evolving faster than ever, proving that the pipeline into elite motorsport is not only growing—but thriving.

Among the most talked-about newcomers is Payton Westcott, the 16-year-old American driver stepping up into a full-time campaign with PREMA Racing. After scoring points in her wildcard debut in Las Vegas last season, Westcott now takes over the Mercedes-backed seat—making her one of the youngest drivers to join the Academy grid this year.

Joining her is Mathilda Paatz, now representing Aston Martin in the series after gaining experience across multiple junior championships and wildcard appearances in 2025. Her transition from one-off entries to a full-season drive signals a growing confidence in young drivers making the leap from karting and Formula 4 into single-seater competition.

Over at ART Grand Prix, French talent Lisa Billard will finally get her full-time shot after impressing during her Singapore wildcard appearance—where she became the first wildcard driver to qualify inside the top eight. Now backed by Gatorade, she’s expected to be one of the standout rookies this season.

She’ll be joined by fellow newcomers Jade Jacquet and Kaylee Countryman, who arrive from Formula 4 and USF Juniors respectively. Both are stepping into seats backed by Formula 1 teams, highlighting how closely the Academy is now tied to the broader motorsport ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Rachel Robertson and Ava Dobson join Hitech’s brand-new lineup, bringing experience from championships like the Radical Cup and GB4. Dobson’s previous wildcard outing in Miami already gave fans a glimpse of her pace—and now she’s here to prove it across an entire season.

What makes this rookie class special isn’t just their talent—it’s their timing. Many of these drivers were wildcard entries or karting prospects just one year ago. Now, they’re part of a fully supported, globally recognized championship designed to prepare them for the highest levels of single-seater racing.

F1 Academy’s 2026 grid isn’t just welcoming new racers—it’s welcoming the future.

Written by Gülendam Gürkan