The inaugural F1 Academy Rookie Test, held at the Circuito de Navarra in September 2025, has set the stage for a new generation of female racing talent. With 18 rookies all eligible for the 2026 season, the event was not only a platform to showcase the next wave of racing stars but also an opportunity to foster growth, mentorship, and skill development in a competitive environment. The test proved to be a thrilling, highly competitive day of racing, with the top three drivers separated by mere fractions, showcasing just how tightly matched the field is.
Ella Stevens, the standout performer of the day, set the fastest overall time of 1:46.921 in the morning session, while Payton Westcott claimed the fastest lap in the afternoon with a 1:47.303. The overall test results revealed a razor-thin margin between the top competitors, offering a tantalising glimpse of the talent that could soon be on track in the F1 Academy series.
Morning session: Stevens’ precision and Westcott’s steady rise
As the morning session unfolded, the battle for the top spot became increasingly intense. The competition kicked off with Natalia Granada posting the first time of the day, a 1:51.842, but it was Megan Bruce who swiftly moved to the front, setting a 1:50.645. However, the action was briefly halted due to a Red Flag following an incident involving Annabelle Brian at Turn 4. This interruption gave the drivers a brief moment to reset and refocus.
Once racing resumed, Bruce continued to lower her time, eventually posting a 1:47.960. But Stevens was quick to make her presence felt, slashing the gap to just 0.082s behind Bruce. As the session progressed, Payton Westcott, the rising star, posted a 1:47.229, moving ahead of Bruce. However, she was not done yet. Westcott then improved further, setting a 1:47.134 at the session’s halfway mark.
The stage was now set for Stevens to make her move. Capitalising on the momentum from the previous laps, Stevens set the first sub-1:47 lap of the day, a blistering 1:46.921, with just eight minutes left on the clock. This secured her the fastest time of the morning, edging out Lisa Billard by 0.092s.
By the time the morning session ended, Stevens had firmly established herself as the driver to beat. The top three were remarkably close, with just 0.12s separating them, underscoring the competitiveness of the event. Westcott and Bruce followed closely behind, marking the fierce nature of the contest at the top.
Classification: 2025 F1 Academy Rookie Test: Morning Session
- Ella Stevens – 1:46.921 (41 laps)
- Lisa Billard – 1:47.013 (38 laps)
- Payton Westcott – 1:47.044 (42 laps)
- Megan Bruce – 1:47.176 (45 laps)
- Rachel Robertson – 1:47.339 (41 laps)
- Alexia Danielsson – 1:47.685 (44 laps)
- Natalia Granada – 1:47.750 (41 laps)
- Zoe Florescu Potolea – 1:47.892 (51 laps)
- Emma Scarbrough – 1:47.977 (40 laps)
- Laura Bourguet – 1:48.171 (39 laps)
- Jade Jacquet – 1:48.195 (46 laps)
- Alexandra Herve – 1:48.419 (43 laps)
- Michalina Sabaj – 1:48.474 (55 laps)
- Imogen Radburn – 1:48.704 (38 laps)
- Annabelle Brian – 1:48.718 (40 laps)
- Alexandra Vateva – 1:48.789 (45 laps)
- Eva Dorrestijn – 1:50.769 (40 laps)
- Autumn Fisher – No Time Set (0 laps)
Afternoon Session: Westcott’s resurgence and a close finale
The afternoon session proved to be just as exciting, with the top drivers continuing to push the limits of their cars. From the start, the battle for supremacy intensified, as Bruce and Rachel Robertson traded the fastest lap times. Bruce set a 1:47.502, while Robertson quickly responded with a 1:47.642. As the two pushed each other, Stevens, only 0.098s behind, jumped into the mix and set a 1:47.372, moving ahead of Bruce by 0.069s.
But the drama was far from over. Payton Westcott, the former F1 Academy Discover Your Drive karter, rose to the challenge. She posted two consecutive personal bests, moving back into the lead with a 1:47.303, narrowly edging out Bruce by 0.022s. Stevens, not far behind, posted a 1:47.333, just 0.008s off Westcott’s best time.
In the final moments of the session, a Red Flag was triggered by an oil leak on Robertson’s car, adding a 10-minute extension to the session. This gave the rookies one last chance to set faster times. Lisa Billard took full advantage of the extra time, improving her lap to 1:47.633 and climbing into fourth place. Robertson, unfortunately, slipped to fifth.
The final standings after the afternoon session revealed just how tightly packed the top positions were. The top three—Westcott, Bruce, and Stevens—were covered by only 0.030s, showcasing the raw talent and determination of the drivers. Billard finished in fourth, followed by Robertson and Alexia Danielsson, who rounded out the top six. Jade Jacquet, Granada, and Bourguet completed the top ten, underscoring the competitive nature of the event.
Classification: 2025 F1 Academy Rookie Test: Afternoon Session
- Payton Westcott – 1:47.303 (27 laps)
- Megan Bruce – 1:47.325 (43 laps)
- Ella Stevens – 1:47.333 (33 laps)
- Lisa Billard – 1:47.633 (27 laps)
- Rachel Robertson – 1:47.691 (37 laps)
- Alexia Danielsson – 1:47.803 (33 laps)
- Jade Jacquet – 1:47.907 (37 laps)
- Natalia Granada – 1:47.936 (28 laps)
- Laura Bourguet – 1:47.988 (27 laps)
- Zoe Florescu Potolea – 1:48.011 (37 laps)
- Emma Scarbrough – 1:48.056 (31 laps)
- Imogen Radburn – 1:48.194 (32 laps)
- Annabelle Brian – 1:48.233 (0 laps)
- Alexandra Herve – 1:48.393 (42 laps)
- Michalina Sabaj – 1:48.436 (41 laps)
- Autumn Fisher – 1:48.628 (39 laps)
- Alexandra Vateva – 1:49.025 (31 laps)
- Eva Dorrestijn – 1:49.461 (27 laps)
F1 Academy’s vision: Nurturing future stars
The Rookie Test was more than just a series of laps and timing sheets. It represented a critical part of F1 Academy’s long-term vision to discover and develop the next generation of female racing talent. Held alongside the official F1 Academy testing, this event created a unique opportunity for mentorship and learning, as rookies had the chance to interact with current F1 Academy drivers, gaining valuable insights into racecraft, engineering, and the demands of professional motorsport.
Before hitting the track, the rookies participated in team briefings, engineering sessions, and cognitive and physical assessments conducted by F1 Academy’s Official Driver Performance & Research Partner, More Than Equal. This comprehensive approach ensured that the rookie drivers were well-prepared for the test, not just physically but mentally as well.
Together, the 18 rookie drivers completed a staggering 1,338 laps across two sessions, a clear indication of the commitment and skill required to compete at this level. The overall results reflected not just speed but consistency, with Stevens and Westcott’s impressive performances showing the promise of a future filled with fierce competition.
Biscaye “delighted” with Navarra success
Delphine Biscaye, the Head of Race Operations at F1 Academy, expressed her excitement over the success of the inaugural Rookie Test at Circuito de Navarra. Reflecting on the hard work and collaboration that led to this moment, she highlighted the milestone nature of the event and its significance in shaping the future of female motorsport talent.
“We’re delighted with the success of the rookie test in Navarra. This milestone accomplishment reflects over two years of collaboration with local ASNs, F4 Championships, and our F1 Academy and F1 teams. With the top three separated by just over a tenth of a second, the depth of the future talent pool is clear, and we’re proud of every driver who took part in this inaugural test,” Biscaye said.
Katie Denver on shaping the future of female drivers
Katie Denver, Performance & Talent Development Manager at F1 Academy, spoke about the immense value the Rookie Test holds for the future of female drivers in the sport. She emphasized that the event provided an ideal platform for the rookies to prove themselves while offering invaluable insights for F1 Academy to shape its future strategies in supporting female talent.
“The Rookie Test has been a fantastic opportunity for the rookies to showcase their potential and benchmark themselves against other aspiring drivers and the current F1 Academy grid,” Denver explained. “It has also been an insightful opportunity for us to gather evidence to inform long-term strategies to better support female drivers.”
Denver also acknowledged the collaborative effort involved in organising the event, which was made possible through close cooperation between F1 Academy teams and their Official Driver Performance & Research Partner, More Than Equal. She praised the professionalism, preparedness, and commitment demonstrated by all the drivers, which bodes well for the future of female representation in motorsport.
“This test was the result of close collaboration between the F1 Academy teams and our Official Driver Performance & Research Partner, More Than Equal, and I was impressed by the professionalism and preparation shown by all participating drivers,” she concluded.
The road to Marina Bay
With the Rookie Test now behind them, the 2025 F1 Academy field will return to action in just two weeks, with Round 6 taking place at the Marina Bay Street Circuit from October 3-5. The fierce competition at Navarra has raised expectations for the upcoming races, with the next generation of drivers now having set the bar for future performances.
As the series continues to evolve, the Rookie Test has proven that the future of female motorsport is bright. With intense talent, a strong sense of camaraderie, and a clear focus on professional development, F1 Academy is poised to be a crucial stepping stone for the next wave of racing stars.
