KAYLEE COUNTRYMAN: How F1’s 2021 duel sparked an F1 Academy dream

November 3, 2026

• KAYLEE COUNTRYMAN, 16, became the youngest driver in F1 Academy history after being selected at the Navarra test in September 2025, backed by Haas F1 and ART Grand Prix.
• A standout Montreal weekend delivered COUNTRYMAN her first points finish (P7) and first podium (P2 reverse-grid) — a levelled-up playing field helping her shine.
• COUNTRYMAN credits track unfamiliarity — never having visited Silverstone or Zandvoort — as her biggest challenge, but says adapting fast across different cars has sharpened her skills.
• Alongside F1 Academy, COUNTRYMAN logged 12 USF2000 starts in 2026, building open-wheel mileage only two years into single-seaters after just two years of prior karting.
• Next steps remain open: a second F1 Academy season, the IndyCar ladder, IMSA, or Porsche Cup are all on the table — decision likely after the Las Vegas season finale.

all-female f1 academy, art grand prix, haas formula 1, usf2000