PUMA’s status as an Official Partner of F1 ACADEMY took on a new dimension ahead of the 2026 season, as the brand confirmed Scottish racer Rachel Robertson as its representative on the grid. The 18-year-old steps up to the series full-time after an eye-catching debut at the Las Vegas season finale. Where she immediately underlined her potential with a fourth-place finish in Race 1. Her promotion marked a significant milestone in a career that had accelerated rapidly in just a few short years.
A rapid rise from karting newcomer to F1 ACADEMY contender
Robertson’s competitive journey began in karting in 2022 and gathered momentum quickly. A year later, she moved up to the British Kart Championships. Competing in the Senior Rotax class, she consistently finished inside the top ten throughout the 2024 season. Standing out as the only female competitor in the category. Her upward trajectory continued when she was selected from over 50 young British drivers for a factory drive with Radical Motorsport. Competing in the 2025 Radical Cup UK, she secured a top-three finish overall, further strengthening her credentials.
Invited to the inaugural F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test at the Circuito de Navarra, she impressed once more by setting top-five lap times in both sessions. That performance paved the way for Robertson’s rookie campaign with the PUMA-operated Hitech car in F1 Academy. Highlighting how recent her entry into motorsport had been, she credited years of determination and support from those around her. At the same time, she aligned herself closely with PUMA’s identity, embracing its reputation for speed, confidence, and individuality. Meanwhile, she prepared to take the next step onto one of single-seater racing’s biggest stages.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining F1 ACADEMY with PUMA for 2026. It’s been an amazing journey to get here, just three years ago I was coming off my novice kart plates, having only got into the sport after persuading my dad to take me indoor rental karting.
“So much hard work has gone into this from my family and so many amazing people, and I’m hugely grateful for everything. I love that PUMA is the fastest sports brand in the world and that it represents being brave and true to yourself. That’s exactly what I want to be this year.”
