Ahead of the final round of the 2025 F1 Academy season, the LEGO Group and the series have announced a new multi-year deal, with Esmee Kosterman set to represent LEGO Racing on the 2026 grid. The 20 year-old Dutch driver first made her F1 Academy debut as a Wild Card Entry at her home race in Zandvoort this year, where she impressed with a points-scoring finish. Kosterman has enjoyed success in her career in karts. In 2023, she etched her name in the history books when she became the first woman to win in the Ford Fiesta Sprint Cup and went on to finish 2nd in the Junior Cup and 3rd overall. The following year, she took the step up and transitioned into single-seaters as she debuted in Indian F4.
In her first full season, Kosterman’s 2026 car will feature a bespoke LEGO Racing livery designed by their design team, blending vibrant colours and patterns to merge the excitement of brick building with high-performance racing.
With the launch of a new Speed Champions F1 Academy LEGO set, recent research by LEGO reveals that 87% of girls surveyed want more opportunities for femals in the sport, while 75% find racing exciting and 52% envisioning their futures as racing drivers. Through this partnership, both organisations expressed their aim to inspire young girls to explore their passions in racing, both on and off-track.
This weekend marks the inaugural F1 Academy race at the Las Vegas GP. To mark the occasion, the LEGO Group will present custom-made LEGO Botanical Bouquets to the podium finishers of both Race 1 and 2, in hopes of celebrating the achievements made possible when talents are given the opportunity to shine.
Managing Director of F1 Academy, Susie Wolff said:
“We’re so proud to welcome the LEGO Group as an Official Partner of F1 ACADEMY. This collaboration isn’t just about the possibility of building an F1 ACADEMY LEGO car, it’s about building belief in what’s possible. With our first partnership product, fans will be able to create something that stands for opportunity and representation. We hope every young girl who picks up these bricks sees more than just a model, she sees herself, her potential, and her place in the world of motorsport whether as a fan, engineer, driver or leader. Together, we’re challenging outdated perceptions of who belongs in motorsport and empowering the next generation of young women to build their own paths.”
A collaboration that aims to inspire young women
Sharing their enthusiasm for the partnership, Chief Product & Marketing Officer of the LEGO Group, Julia Goldin added: “F1 ACADEMY is levelling the playing field in motorsport, giving young female athletes a clear pathway to achieve their dreams in the top tiers of the sport. We can’t wait to see LEGO Racing join the F1 ACADEMY grid and are so excited to have Esmee as our driver. For the first time, fans can hold their favourite F1 ACADEMY LEGO car in their hands, and I’m thrilled that we’re securing female representation in racing toys for young girls. We hope the infusion of LEGO play and creativity to this exciting sport inspires the next generation of young women in motorsport, as well as the female builders of tomorrow, that anything is possible.”
Looking forward to her full-time campaign next year, Kosterman shared her excitement about representing the iconic brand: “To be the first driver for LEGO Racing is such an exciting opportunity, and I can’t wait to continue my racing journey with F1 ACADEMY. I’ve long been a fan of the LEGO brand, its creativity and what it stands for and to bring it to the track from the 2026 season onwards is incredible. I hope this inspires future generations of female drivers, that with hard work and determination, anything is possible!”
