Stevens delighted to make a big step forward after topping F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test

Ella Stevens was full of smiles after finishing top of the timesheets in the inaugural F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test, becoming the only driver on the day to break into the 1:46s.

Climbing into the cockpit of an F1 ACADEMY car for the first time, the British racer quickly got to grips with both her new machinery and the Circuito de Navarra. A burst of pace towards the tail end of the morning session saw her go quickest with a 1:46.921 — only seven tenths slower than the fastest time of in-season testing, set by Ella Lloyd on Day 2.

The 18-year-old followed that up in the afternoon, scoring a top three finish, 0.030s behind pacesetter Payton Westcott.

“I'm very happy with how the test has gone,” she said. “I wasn't expecting to be this high on the timesheets and I'm really happy with how I did in my progress. I definitely made a big step from the last time I've been in an F4 car and I'm looking forward to getting in one again.”

Stevens added: “I want to use this test to go forward as a driver to hopefully prove what I can do and learn from everything to be ready for the next step.”

Recently crowned Vice-Champion in the British KZ2 Karting Championship, Stevens noted how much she had to adjust her driving style to suit the Formula 4 level car.

READ MORE: Stevens fastest in landmark F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test

“The biggest thing I’ve learnt today is the technique with the car,” she explained. “Just getting used to the F1 ACADEMY car, learning all the brake shapes and the techniques that I need to be having.

“Some challenges I found on the day were adaptability with the track as it got quite hot. It got quite slidy and I just had to try my best to work around it.”