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Where to watch current and former F1 ACADEMY drivers in action in 2026

15 January 2026

The countdown to the 2026 F1 ACADEMY season is underway, but the racing bug has already bitten several of our past and present stars.

With a wide-range of on-track activities before our campaign kicks off and throughout the year, here’s an up-do-date round-up of where you can see your favourite racers in action.

WINTER ACTIVITIES

Alba Larsen’s season begins this weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit. The Ferrari junior is taking part in the first of four rounds of the UA4 Series. Racing with Evans GP, she’ll spot some familiar faces with fellow 2025 rookie Emma Felbermayr competing for PHM Racing.

Ahead of her F1 ACADEMY debut in the Haas operated by ART Grand Prix car, Kaylee Countryman will be lining up for the first three rounds of the series with Pinnacle Motorsport. Meanwhile, last year’s Las Vegas Wild Card driver Payton Westcott will hit the track with PREMA Racing after achieving her first single-seater victory in the Formula Trophy UAE back in November.

Aston Martin’s newest recruit Mathilda Paatz will also get an early start to her year, returning to the Formula Winter Series. The Formula 4 series based in Spain and Portugal commences at the Circuito do Estoril, Estoril on January 22-25. Like many at its level, it uses the Tatuus F4-T421 chassis — with F1 ACADEMY running the same chassis with modified front and rear wings.

Felbermayr is racing in the UA4 Series off the back of her top-10 finish in the 2025 F1 ACADEMY standings

DUAL CAMPAIGNS

Utilising the chance for extra mileage, Larsen will be continuing her development with a second British F4 campaign. Her seven-round appearance last year saw the Dane claim a best finish of P11 at Silverstone on the National Circuit layout. The Championship will also feature 2025 F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE karter Chiara Bättig, as the Red Bull junior steps up to her first full season in cars with Hitech.

Beyond her winter racing, Paatz is doubling up with a sophomore campaign in the F4 CEZ Championship, competing for Mathilda Racing. Another F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE karter making the step up to single-seaters is Mercedes junior Luna Fluxá, driving for Campos Racing in Spanish F4.

Over in the United States, Countryman progresses to the USF2000 Championship. Entering the second level of IndyCar’s USF Pro Championships ladder, she is contesting four select events with Exclusive Autosport. The 16-year-old will get started at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on May 7-9.

Amna Al Qubaisi is one of three drivers competing in sportscars

CONTINUING THEIR JOURNEYS

Two-time F1 ACADEMY race winner Bianca Bustamante has switched to the Eurocup-3 series, competing for Palou Motorsport. This sees the Filipina reunite with her 2023 F1 ACADEMY team PREMA Racing, who have a technical partnership with the team.

The eight-round campaign commences at the Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet on May 1-3 before heading to the likes of Portimão, Monza and Silverstone. In preparation, the 20-year-old will contest the Eurocup-3 Winter Series beforehand, starting with Round 1 at the Algarve International Circuit, Portimão on February 20-22.

Amna Al Qubaisi is about to test her sportscar skills as she takes on the Michelin 24H Dubai. The final round of the 24H Middle Eastern Trophy will see the Emirati driver get behind the wheel of the No. 797 Rossa LM GT on January 16-18.

Joining the IMSA VP Racing Sports Car Challenge, Courtney Crone will climb into Peregrine Racing’s No. 35 BMW M4 GT4 Evo car. The opening sprint round at the Daytona International Speedway gets underway this weekend.

Taking on LMP3 machinery for the first time, Nicole Havrda also joins the IMSA VP Racing Sports Car Challenge grid. Piloting the No. 2 Shopify Racing powered by TWOth car, she will make her endurance racing debut at the Sebring International Raceway in the United States on March 6-8.