The F1 Academy has announced an expansion of its 2026 Rookie Test, introducing a new Rookie Training Camp designed to further support the development of female racing talent. This initiative aims to build on the success of the inaugural 2025 Rookie Test by offering a more comprehensive preparation program for selected drivers.
The Rookie Training Camp is scheduled to take place from August 25 to 27, 2026, at Loughborough University. Following the camp, the on-track Rookie Test will run from September 9 to 11, 2026, at Circuito de Navarra. The camp will provide 18 selected female drivers with scientific and practical development opportunities, including physiological profiling, cognitive testing, and VALD performance screening. Additionally, the program will feature seminars and workshops focusing on strength, conditioning, resilience, and performance lifestyle.
The 18 drivers invited to participate include Alexia Danielsson, Rosanne Den Drijver, Jordyn Deza-Martin, Eva Dorrestijn, Victoria Farfus, Autumn Fisher, Zoe Florescu, Luna Fluxa, Yana Kapoor, Kareen Kaur, Carmen Kraav, Ella Lähdemaa, Sara Matsui, Ginevra Panzeri, Kokoro Sato, Milla Sjöstrand, Clara Stiebleichinger, and Sofia Zanfari. These drivers will benefit from an immersive experience that simulates a professional team environment, including briefings, engineering sessions, media training, and on-track driving in F1 Academy cars.
Katie Denver, F1 Academy Performance & Talent Development Manager, highlighted the role of the program in accelerating driver development both on and off the track through science-backed methods. She emphasized the importance of combining physical and cognitive assessments with practical racing experience to prepare drivers for the demands of the sport.
Lou Gear, Director of Sport at Loughborough University, expressed the institution’s commitment to supporting female talent development and creating elite performance environments. The collaboration between F1 Academy and Loughborough University aims to provide a structured and evidence-based approach to nurturing the next generation of female racing drivers.
The 2026 Rookie Test builds on the foundation laid by the 2025 event, where seven drivers secured full-time seats and two made Wild Card appearances in the series. The expanded program reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen pathways for women in motorsport by offering tailored training and exposure to professional racing conditions.
With the Rookie Training Camp and Test scheduled for late August and early September 2026, the program offers a clear framework for female drivers to develop their skills in a supportive and professional setting. This approach underlines F1 Academy’s commitment to fostering talent through a combination of scientific assessment and real-world racing experience.