GB4's top female Ava Dobson secures 2026 F1 Academy seat with American Express

Ava Dobson, who was the highest-placed female driver in last year's GB4 Championship, will represent American Express in this year's F1 Academy.
 

The 17-year-old American, who made her GB4 debut in 2024, completed the full campaign last year with Arden Motorsport, and claimed a maiden podium finish at last year's Donington Park finale, enough to secure her the end of year €50,000 career contribution prize from MSV towards an F1 Academy drive.
 

Having contested an F1 Academy round in Miami last May as a Wild Card, Dobson will now complete the full F1 Academy schedule in 2026, supporting Formula One around the world.
 

Dobson follows in the footsteps of fellow GB4 alumni Jess Edgar, Megan Gilkes, Chloe Grant and inaugural top female scorer Alisha Palmowski, in graduating to F1 Academy from the UK's best value single-seater category.
 

“I am really excited to be going with F1 ACADEMY this year with American Express,” said Dobson. ”I’m truly super honoured to be chosen to race in the series and having an amazing partnership with American Express. I can’t wait to continue to build off of that throughout the whole year and work really hard with the team, and with American Express to be the best we can be.”