Come behind the scenes of the inaugural F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test at Circuito de Navarra, where 18 rookie drivers showed their skills on and off-track.

Come behind the scenes of the inaugural F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test at Circuito de Navarra, where 18 rookie drivers had a shot to show their skills on and off track in front of motorsport industry experts and battle it out for a chance to make the F1 ACADEMY grid in 2026.

WATCH: 18 Rookie Drivers Battle It Out for a Chance to Make the Grid in 2026 

WATCH: 18 rookie drivers battle it out for a chance to make the grid in 2026 

Lisa Billard was pleased by her progress in the F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test, but the French driver believes there was more time for her to find in Navarra.

Lisa Billard was pleased by her progress in the F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test, but the French driver believes there was more time for her to find around the Circuito de Navarra.

Billard ‘always pushing’ as she reflects on promising pace in F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test

Ella Stevens was full of smiles after going fastest in the F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test, becoming the only driver to break into the 1:46s.

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.

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

Ella Stevens topped the timesheets in the inaugural F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test, setting a 1:46.921 in the morning session to go quickest overall.

Ella Stevens topped the timesheets in the inaugural F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test, setting a 1:46.921 in the morning session to go quickest overall. The milestone event, featuring 18 rookie female drivers in action at the Circuito de Navarra, saw the top three positions closely matched throughout the day. 
Stevens pipped Lisa Billard to the P1 spot in the first session by 0.092s, with Payton Westcott a further 0.031s behind. A competitive afternoon running saw Westcott post a 1:47.303 to beat out Megan Bruce and Stevens, with the trio covered by only 0.030s. 


Stevens fastest in landmark F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test

Emma Felbermayr was upbeat about her chances going forward after unlocking her potential as the in-season test progressed at the Circuito de Navarra.

Emma Felbermayr was upbeat about her chances going forward after unlocking her potential as the in-season test progressed at the Circuito de Navarra.
The Kick Sauber struggled initially, finishing down in P17 and P11 during the first two sessions. Regrouping after Tuesday’s running, she and Rodin Motorsport found the pace they’d missed thus far. 


Felbermayr striving for more silverware after ‘productive’ Navarra test

Ella Lloyd proved to be the driver to beat on the second and final day of running at the Navarra in-season test. 

Ella Lloyd proved to be the driver to beat on the second and final day of running at the Navarra in-season test. The McLaren driver earned the fastest time of the test, completing a 1:46.259 in the final minutes of the morning session to lead Maya Weug by a slender margin.
The 20-year-old was once again a firm fixture at the top of the timesheets throughout the afternoon, as Rodin Motorsport scored a 1-2 with Lloyd’s 1:46.424 putting her two tenths clear of Emma Felbermayr.

Lloyd sweeps Day 2 to end Navarra in-season testing on top 

Here’s everything you need to know about the F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test on September 17-18 at the Circuito de Navarra.

F1 ACADEMY will break new ground this week by staging the series’ first-ever Rookie Test. Demonstrating a commitment to developing a pipeline for future talent, the test gives 18 up-and-coming female drivers a chance to show why they should be considered for a highly-coveted spot on the 2026 grid.
Before the rookies are in action, let’s take a look at what’s in store and who will be taking to the track...

F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test Explained

Maya Weug kicked off testing in Navarra the way she intends to go on for the rest of the season, topping the timesheets on the first day of running.

Maya Weug kicked off in-season testing in Navarra the way she intends to go on for the rest of the season, topping the timesheets on the first day of running.
The Ferrari driver set the fastest time of the day in the morning segment, posting a 1:46.439 to finish ahead of title rival Doriane Pin. She followed that up in the afternoon, pipping the Standings leader to P1 by 0.082s.


Weug aiming to keep up the pace in Singapore after sweeping Day 1 of Navarra testing

Maya Weug led the field on the first day of in-season testing at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain, sealing back-to-back session topping times.

Maya Weug led the field on the first day of in-season testing at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain, sealing back-to-back session topping times. The Ferrari driver set the fastest time of the day on a 1:46.439 in the morning, finishing ahead of Standings leader Doriane Pin and Tina Hausmann. She continued that form into the afternoon, beating Pin by 0.082s on a 1:46.562.


Weug quickest on opening day of Navarra in-season testing

The F1 ACADEMY paddock reconvenes for three days of testing as both the 2025 field and those eyeing up seats for the 2026 campaign take to the track.

Before the season heads to the streets of Singapore, the paddock reconvenes for three days of testing as both the 2025 field and those eyeing up seats for the 2026 campaign take to the track.

PREVIEW: F1 ACADEMY returns with in-season and rookie testing in Navarra

F1 ACADEMY today announced the 18 drivers selected to take part in the series’ first ever rookie test on 17th-18th September at Circuito de Navarra.

F1 ACADEMY today announced that, following substantial global interest, eighteen female drivers, all eligible to compete in 2026, have been carefully selected to take part in the series’ first ever rookie test on 17th-18th September at Circuito de Navarra.

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