JOANNE CICONTE Takes Bold Japan Move After F1 Academy Foundation Season

March 3, 2026

• JOANNE CICONTE is making a strategic career move to Japan’s all-female Kyojo Cup series at Fuji Speedway with powerhouse team KCMG, after proving herself as F1 Academy’s youngest competitor at just 17. The Melbourne native earned her spot through impressive December testing and sees Japan as her launching pad toward the ultimate F1 dream.
• Her F1 Academy season alongside fellow Australian AIVA ANAGNOSTIADIS gave CICONTE invaluable experience handling international pressure and F1 weekend atmospheres, despite some rough patches that come with the territory. She’s maintained race fitness with twice-daily workouts and simulator sessions, building the mental resilience needed for high-stakes competition.
• CICONTE has her sights set on Super Formula – Japan’s premier open-wheel series that’s launched drivers like Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly into F1 – calling it “the second-fastest open-wheeler category apart from Formula 1.” She’ll also compete in two AU4 championship rounds at Winton and The Bend while balancing her 10-race Kyojo Cup campaign.

all-female f1 academy, fuji speedway, kcmg, kyojo cup