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Queensland teenager Annabel Kennedy made history in 2025 by becoming the first woman to step onto the podium in the Indian F4 Championship, cementing her place as one of Australia’s most promising young talents in single-seater racing.

EARLY YEARS

Born and raised in North Lakes, Queensland, Kennedy is a student at St Benedict’s College in Mango Hill. Her racing career began in the most unexpected way—with a “fun day out” at Slideways on the Gold Coast, organized to celebrate her dad’s birthday[1]. What started as a casual experience in hire karts quickly turned into something more serious. Kennedy progressed to monthly race days before joining Ipswich Karting, where her natural speed and competitive edge began to emerge[2].

By 2019, at just 15 years old, she had officially entered the world of competitive karting—a decision that would set her on a path from club racing to the international stage in just a few short years[3].

OTHER INTERESTS

No information available.

EARLY SUCCESS

Kennedy’s karting career was built on grit, consistency, and an unapologetic hunger to win. “I am very competitive and the track is an environment where that can thrive,” she told Moreton Daily. “I’m hungry to win and succeed and every weekend I only want to do better”[4].

She competed in the Australian Kart Championship in the KA3 Junior category, finishing 25th overall but gaining invaluable racecraft and experience against some of the country’s best young drivers[5]. In 2024, she claimed victory at the Pink Plate event in Albury, Australia’s biggest female karting race, which raises funds for Breast Cancer Network Australia[6]. That same year, she was selected to represent Australia in the prestigious 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy—Senior, a globally recognized series designed to identify and develop the next generation of international racing talent[7].

Her debut in the Academy Trophy at Portimao, Portugal, in early 2025 was a baptism by fire. After qualifying 25th, her best result in the three heat races was 15th, and she lined up 29th on the grid for the final[8]. It wasn’t the fairytale start she’d hoped for, but it was a crucial learning experience on a world stage. She returned to Australia with more fire than ever.

In July 2025, Kennedy completed her first-ever Formula 4 test with Ambition GP, marking a major milestone in her transition from karts to cars[9]. The test confirmed what many already suspected: she had the talent to compete at the next level.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2024: Winner of the Pink Plate event in Albury, Australia’s biggest female karting event[6].
• 2025: Selected to represent Australia in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy—Senior[7].
• 2025: Completed inaugural Formula 4 test with Ambition GP[9].
• 2025: Made history as the first woman to step onto the podium in the Indian F4 Championship with a third-place finish in Race 1 at Madras Motor Race Track[10].
• 2025: Secured P5 in the first practice session at Madras with a lap time of 1:43.336[11].

INSPIRATIONS

No information available.

REPUTATION

Kennedy is known for her no-nonsense approach to racing and her refusal to be intimidated. Racing for Hyderabad Blackbirds in the 2025 Indian F4 Championship, she quickly established herself as one of the standout rookies in a season that featured several talented female drivers[12]. Her historic podium in Race 1 at Madras wasn’t a fluke—she’d been consistently running in the top ten throughout practice and had the pace to back up her ambition[11].

Though her best result of the weekend remained an eighth-place finish in Race 1, the fact that she kept herself in contention week after week showed maturity beyond her years[13]. By the time the season concluded at the Goa Street Circuit, Kennedy had proven she belonged in single-seaters, even as she faced the steep learning curve that comes with jumping from karting to cars in a highly competitive environment[14].

Back in the karting world, she continued to compete at the highest level, including a strong showing at the FIA Euro OK event in Viterbo, where she qualified second on the grid before being forced to retire from the final[15]. It was another tough result, but it didn’t diminish her growing reputation as a driver who shows up, puts her head down, and fights.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Kennedy is actively fundraising through the Australian Sports Foundation to progress her motorsport career with her sights set firmly on securing a seat in the F1 Academy—the all-female championship designed as a direct feeder series to Formula 1[16]. Her ultimate dream? To compete in Formula 1 itself.

It’s an audacious goal, but Kennedy isn’t the type to dream small. With her F4 podium already in the books and international karting experience under her belt, she’s building the résumé and the reputation needed to keep climbing. She knows the road ahead is long, expensive, and fiercely competitive—but she’s also proven she’s not going anywhere.

REFERENCES

[1] Annabel turns hobby into world series – Moreton Daily
[2] Annabel turns hobby into world series – Moreton Daily
[3] Indian F4: Female rookies secure top ten finishes in season opener
[4] Annabel turns hobby into world series – Moreton Daily
[5] Annabel Kennedy – Driver Database
[6] Lady drivers race at Albury for the 2024 Pink Plate
[7] Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy
[8] Valuable Experience for Annabel Kennedy in Portugal
[9] Annabel Kennedy successfully completed her inaugural Formula 4 test with Ambition GP
[10] Indian F4: Annabel Kennedy claims first podium
[11] Indian F4: Annabel Kennedy claims first podium
[12] 2025 F4 Indian Championship – Wikipedia
[13] Paige Raddatz impresses on F4 debut, Kennedy and Stiebleichinger secure top 10 finishes
[14] Clara Stiebleichinger and Paige Raddatz end Indian F4 season with points
[15] FIA Euro OK in Viterbo: Costoya secures title lead
[16] Annabel Kennedy | Australian Sports Foundation