LISA BILLARD & RACHEL ROBERTSON Lead 18 Rising Stars in F1 Academy Rookie Test

September 15, 2025

by Kerry Violet // from www.gpfans.com

• F1 Academy’s inaugural rookie test brings together 18 carefully selected female drivers aged 15-21 at Circuito de Navarra this September, offering a direct pathway to the 2026 grid. This isn’t just another test session—it’s SUSIE WOLFF and her team putting their money where their mouth is, creating real opportunities for the next generation to prove they belong.
• Among the standouts are 15-year-old LISA BILLARD, who’s already caught Alpine’s attention through their Rac(H)er programme while competing for Iron Dames in French F4, and RACHEL ROBERTSON, the Scottish driver who’s been making waves with backing from BBC’s Gabby Logan. These aren’t charity cases—they’re genuine talents who’ve earned their spots through performance.
• The two-day format combines real-world team immersion with six hours of actual track time in F1 Academy machinery, plus physical and cognitive assessments from More Than Equal. It’s refreshing to see a series that talks about “equitable platforms” actually building one, giving these 18 drivers the same tools and data the established racers get.

all-female f1 academy, alpine, circuito de navarra, iron dames