JOANNE CICONTE Ready to Build on Breakthrough as F1 Academy Returns at Zandvoort

August 25, 2025

from www.abc.net.au

• JOANNE CICONTE is hitting her stride as F1 Academy returns from its two-month break, with the 16-year-old Australian rookie showing she belongs despite limited financial resources compared to her competitors. After a frustrating start to her single-seater career that began just last year, CICONTE has clawed her way to back-to-back top-10 finishes, proving that raw talent and determination can overcome budget disadvantages in this supposedly equal playing field.
• The Melbourne native is treating Zandvoort’s unique banked corners and roller-coaster elevation changes as another classroom in her crash course education, having used last month’s testing session to build crucial confidence with both the track and her machinery. With three weekends left in the championship, CICONTE’s focus on “patience and precision” shows a maturity that belies her age as she navigates the steep learning curve of competing against more experienced and better-funded rivals.
• Fellow Australian AIVA ANAGNOSTIADIS joins CICONTE on the Zandvoort grid this weekend as F1 Academy prepares for its final push through Singapore and Las Vegas to close out 2025. The series returns at a crucial moment when every session counts for young drivers looking to prove they deserve the next step up the motorsport ladder, making these remaining races essential for building momentum heading into 2026.

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