F1 Academy has taken a significant stride forward in its mission to identify and nurture the next generation of female racing talent, after successfully concluding its inaugural Rookie Test at Circuito de Navarra today.
 

From a competitive field of eighteen rookies, all eligible for the 2026 season, Ella Stevens set the fastest overall time, with the top three within just 0.12s of each other, showcasing the depth of talent among the growing pool of drivers aiming to be selected for an F1 Academy seat.
 

Held alongside official testing, the milestone event brought together the current F1 Academy field and eighteen rookies for the first time, creating a unique opportunity for mentorship and an unparalleled learning experience in a professional racing environment.
 

Before taking to the track, the rookies were immersed in F1 Academy teams, gaining valuable insights from current F1 Academy drivers and participating in team briefings, engineering sessions, and research-led physical and cognitive assessments delivered by the series' Official Driver Performance & Research Partner, More than Equal.
 

The programming culminated in six hours of on-track running, during which the rookies collectively completed over 1338 of laps across two sessions, with Ella Stevens setting the fastest lap in the morning session with a 1:46.921, and Payton Westcott clocking in the fastest time in the afternoon with a 1:47.303.

Delphine Biscaye, Head of Race Operations, F1 Academy, said: "We're delighted with the success of the rookie test in Navarra. This milestone accomplishment reflects over two years of collaboration with local ASNs, F4 Championships and our F1 Academy and F1 teams. With the top three separated by just over a tenth of a second, the depth of the future talent pool is clear, and we're proud of every driver who took part in this inaugural test."
 

Katie Denver, Performance & Talent Development Manager, F1 Academy, continued: "The Rookie Test has been a fantastic opportunity for the rookies to showcase their potential and benchmark themselves against other aspiring drivers and the current F1 Academy grid. It has also been an insightful opportunity for us to gather evidence to inform long-term strategies to better support female drivers. This test was the result of close collaboration between the F1 Academy teams and our Official Driver Performance & Research Partner, More Than Equal, and I was impressed by the professionalism and preparation shown by all participating drivers."