Catching up with Chiara Bättig throughout the Silverstone weekend, the 16-year-old Wild Card driver reflected on her memorable debut.

As far as first impressions go, few drivers have made as big of an impact on the F1 ACADEMY grid as Chiara Bättig. Competing in her first full season in single-seaters, the Swiss racer made history across the Silverstone weekend. The first Wild Card polesitter and the youngest to do so, Bättig brought home points in the Reverse Grid Race and followed it up with a P2 finish in the Feature Race — making her the first-ever Wild Card podium finisher alongside securing Hitech’s first piece of silverware.
Catching up with Bättig throughout the weekend, the 16-year-old reflected on her memorable debut…

INSIDE STORY: Bättig debriefs her historic Wild Card weekend at Silverstone

Rewatch the first-ever F1 ACADEMY Qualifying session at Silverstone, as Wild Card driver Chiara Bättig achieved a record-breaking pole position.

Rewatch the first-ever F1 ACADEMY Qualifying session at Silverstone, as Chiara Bättig achieved a record-breaking pole position, becoming the youngest driver and first Wild Card to do so.

Highlights: 2026 Round 3 Qualifying in Silverstone

HIGHLIGHTS: Bättig scores sensational pole position in Silverstone Qualifying debut

Chiara Bättig delivered on debut at Silverstone, becoming the first Wild Card to achieve a pole position and the youngest F1 ACADEMY driver to do so.

QUALIFYING: Bättig makes history as she rockets to first Wild Card pole at Silverstone

Satisfied by how she’s begun to adapt to the new machinery, Bättig acknowledges that a far greater challenge lies ahead in Qualifying.

Chiara Bättig made a promising start to her debut F1 ACADEMY weekend at Silverstone, with the Wild Card driver comfortably leading the pack in Practice.
Speaking after the team debrief, the Wella driver was satisfied by how she’s begun to adapt to the new machinery but acknowledges that a far greater challenge lies ahead in Qualifying.

‘Good step for a strong weekend’ – Bättig pleased by initial pace after topping Silverstone Practice

Check out the three new liveries that will be taking to the track for Round 3 of the 2026 F1 ACADEMY season at Silverstone.

Wella, Racing Bulls and Williams have unveiled the three eye-catching liveries that will be adorning their cars for Round 3 at Silverstone.

FIRST LOOK: Wella, Racing Bulls and Williams unveil their Silverstone liveries

The Swiss racer has been confirmed as the Wild Card entry for Round 3 of the 2026 season, driving the #6 Wella Professionals operated by Hitech car.

Chiara Bättig will make her F1 ACADEMY debut at Silverstone, with the Swiss racer confirmed as the Wild Card entry for Round 3 of the 2026 season.
Driving for the series’ Official Partner Wella Professionals, Bättig will take to the track in the #6 car featuring the brand’s bespoke red Wella livery inspired by its “Make It You” campaign, which celebrates confidence and female empowerment in the F1 ACADEMY paddock.


Chiara Bättig to represent Wella Professionals as F1 ACADEMY Wild Card driver at Silverstone

Joanne Ciconte was very satisfied with her progress as she and MP Motorsport delivered another strong day of running on Day 2 of testing in Bahrain.

Ciconte pleased to be reaping the benefits of extra seat time after ‘rewarding’ Day 2 in Bahrain

Joanne Ciconte arrives to the streets of Singapore for the first time looking to turn the tide on a challenging rookie F1 ACADEMY campaign.

Ciconte brushing off rookie setbacks as she looks to test herself around ‘rewarding’ Singapore

Team Manager Wouter Blokhuis is convinced that MP Motorsport and Maya Weug are ‘stronger than ever’ after Weug's back-to-back podiums in Zandvoort.

Team Manager Wouter Blokhuis is convinced that MP Motorsport and Maya Weug are ‘stronger than ever’ after the team secured the first Grand Slam of the season on Sunday.

‘Maya did everything she needed to do’ – Blokhuis insists title fight is back on if Weug can recreate Zandvoort triumph in Singapore

With plenty of stories to tell, let’s find out how well the MP trio of Maya Weug, Alba Larsen and Joanne  have gotten on so far…   

Every driver might be out on track fighting for themselves, but motorsport at its heart is a team sport. Sharing a garage alongside battling it out across the season, teammates can become not just your nearest rivals but also your newest friends. 
We headed over to MP Motorsport to put that to the test, as title contender and Ferrari driver Maya Weug partners up with the two youngest drivers on the grid, Tommy Hilfiger’s Alba Larsen and Wella’s Joanne Ciconte. With plenty of stories to tell, let’s find out how well the trio have gotten on so far…   

TEAM TALK: Getting to know MP Motorsport teammates Weug, Larsen and Ciconte 

F1 ACADEMY have announced a global partnership with Wella Company, naming Wella Professionals as an Official Partner. 

F1 ACADEMY have announced a global partnership with Wella Company, naming the No.1 salon colour brand in the world Wella Professionals as Official Partner of the all-female racing series. 

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