With the first round of the 2026 Kyojo Cup set to begin this weekend, Australian driver Joanne Ciconte prepares for a move to Japan as she takes on a brand-new championship this year. The 17 year-old makes the switch following her rookie F1 Academy season with MP Motorsport in 2025, where she finished 14th in the Drivers’ Standings with 8 points.
Ciconte spoke exclusively to Pit Debrief about her decision to take the next step in her racing career by moving to Japan. When asked about how she came to the decision, she explained: “F1 Academy is great and I think I’ve highlighted that, racing in that series has really gained me a profile and a following, which is so important as a girl in such a male-dominated field because obviously we go against huge misconceptions.”
“So I’m really grateful for that part, but the other side to it is that, I don’t have much experience. And I find that staying in F1 Academy kind of holds back my development, so I’ve chosen to race in the Kyojo Cup because I find that from a development point of view, it can really help me.”
While she credited F1 Academy for providing a strong platform and greater visibility, the Australian driver believes the move will further aid her development in single-seaters and sees clear opportunities for her future in Japan.
She added: “And I’m wanting to kind of root through and race in Super Formula, which is the fastest open wheeler category there is outside of Formula One. So I see huge opportunity in Japan, alongside Toyota and Honda, so I think there’s many opportunities that we’re looking at in Japan.”
Tackling a new challenge and setting goals for the year
Having taken part in tests ahead of the season, Ciconte needed to adapt to the speed and handling of her new machinery.
“I think the biggest difference with the two cars is the speed, so I think the Kyojo Cup car is a little bit faster, the way it handles with the brake, the tyres as well it’s completely different, and so these are obviously new things that I’m still learning at.”
After showing promising pace throughout testing, the 17 year-old appears to be in a strong position to fight for solid results. Heading into the season, she explained that her goals were simple, and that is to progress and develop as a driver. While she explained that she has not set specific expectations for herself, she hopes to convert her strong pre-season momentum into points and potentially a podium in the near future.
Ciconte said: “So my main goals for this season, it’s quite simple: just progressing as a driver because I’m here to develop, I’m here to learn. So I don’t have any expectations, but from what I’ve seen in the tests I’ve been kind of mingling around the top five, so that’s been an awesome start for the season and I’m looking forward to see where that takes me and a goal could be a podium, so yeah podiums.”
Eyes set on a Super Formula campaign
In recent years, several drivers from the European junior categories have progressed and chosen to race in Super Formula as they work towards their goal of reaching the pinnacle of motorsport. Many have described the experience as one that is closest to Formula One. This year, several former F2 and F3 drivers are competing in the championship, including Luke Browning, Roman Staněk and Charlie Wurz after their stints in F2 and F3.
When asked what makes the pathway so appealing to young talents nowadays, she noted how many F1 drivers have competed in the championship. However, despite its lack of popularity, Ciconte believes it is the speed and opportunity that help drivers perform at their best.
“Well, I just think it’s quite simple, the speed is just so incredible. It’s faster than a Formula 2 car, which other than a Formula 2 car and a Super Formula, there’s nothing else that’s an open wheeler closer to Formula One. So I think the speed just really brings in a huge insight for Formula One and it’s quite simple.”
She added: “The speed, the teams, I think a lot of people going through the Super Formula route, like I mean previously there was Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson as well as Pierre Gasly.”
“So I just think there’s huge opportunity there, it’s kind of an unknown series but I think that’s what really you know brings the great out of drivers.”
“I think it’s important to understand different cars” — Ciconte on venturing into other forms of racing
Like every driver, Ciconte has her sights set on becoming a Formula One driver. However, she remains open to exploring other forms of racing, highlighting the importance of adapting to different machinery.
When asked about her views on venturing into different categories, she said: “100%, I think as a driver going back to what I said it’s really important being able to manage different cars, being able to adapt to different tracks and cars. So whether that I’m driving a Formula car or not, I think it’s important to understand different cars and I think that’s what really brings the better out of you and not being used to the one thing.”
“Because in your career you’re gonna go through different speeds and different levels of motorsports, so yeah I think that obviously I’d be so open to driving in GT cars; like that for me would be awesome but my ultimate goal is to be in Formula One.”
As Ciconte embarks on her new chapter in the 2026 Kyojo Cup this weekend, the 17 year-old is undoubtedly a talent to watch as she continues to progress and make her mark in the sport.
