EMILY COTTY Holds Female Trophy Lead as PAYTON WESTCOTT Strikes Back at Monza

June 26, 2025

by MARCO ALBERTINI // from www.racers-behindthehelmet.com

GRRL! SUMMARY:

EMILY COTTY kept her Female Trophy championship lead intact despite PAYTON WESTCOTT winning two of three races at a chaotic Monza weekend. While WESTCOTT closed the points gap with victories in races one and two, COTTY bounced back with a win in the final race, proving she’s not going anywhere without a fight. The R-ace GP driver showed real grit after struggling early in the weekend, finding pace when it mattered most and demonstrating the kind of resilience that keeps championships alive.
WESTCOTT’s weekend perfectly illustrated why we love this sport – the American showed she belongs in the conversation by being the fastest female in practice and qualifying, then backed it up with results when the lights went out. Her two Female Trophy wins weren’t just about crossing the line first; they were statement drives that put COTTY on notice. The VAR driver’s ability to capitalize on opportunities, especially in the opening two races, shows she’s not just here to make up the numbers but to genuinely challenge for the title.
KORNELIA OLKUCKA continues to be the steady hand we didn’t know we needed, earning podium finishes in all three races during her maiden Italian F4 season. The Maffi Racing driver faced everything Monza could throw at her – punctures, radio failures, and getting hit from behind – yet still delivered consistent results. Her approach of learning from each challenge while staying competitive proves that sometimes the quiet achievers are the ones worth watching, especially when her mechanic Hugo gets recognition for the work behind the scenes.