After a top four finish in the 2023 Girls on Track Rising Stars Programme, Joanne Ciconte is one of two Australian’s on the 2025 F1 Academy grid. This is a milestone as Anagnostiadis and herself mark Australia’s first F1 Academy drivers.
Unfortunately for the Australian teen, her season hasn’t gotten off to the start she may have liked. At the conclusion of Round 4, Ciconte sits in 15th in the Championship standings. Scoring only 4 points so far, it is clear the final race of a weekend is where the teen tends to shine.
Debut in Shanghai
Off to a seemingly good start in Shanghai, Ciconte managed to park her MP Motorsport machinery in P6 during Qualifying. Her positive Qualifying session soon turned into misfortune, after a starting procedure infringement in Race 1 saw the Australian awarded a stop-go penalty. After serving this penalty, 14th is the best she was capable of.
Race 2 saw further misfortune for Ciconte, when an on track incident resulted in her not finishing the race. This saw her leaving Round 1 without a single point.
The emotional rollercoaster of Jeddah and Miami
After securing P11 in the Saudi Arabian Qualifying session, Ciconte managed to maintain a P11 finish in Race 1. An emotional high appeared at the conclusion of Race 2, Ciconte crossing the line in P9. Race 2 saw the Australian’s first points scoring finishing, taking home 2 points.
Miami saw the positivity flip, as Ciconte secured a disappointing P17 during Qualifying. Starting Race 1 at the back of the grid, the 16-year-old had the goal of fighting to the front. With the determination preset, and her adrenaline pumping, Ciconte ended up three wide with Chong and Havrda. This incident saw her sustaining damage to her rear left, and retiring from the race.
Due to the wet and wild weather in Miami, Race 2 was cancelled, and Ciconte left Round 3 without securing any additional points.
Minor redemption in Montreal
Despite Qualifying in 11th in Montreal, Race 1 was effectively a redo of Race 2 from Miami, meaning the starting grid was set in Miami. This saw Ciconte starting P17. Race 1 saw an incident forcing Ciconte to retire her car after sustaining damage.
Race 2 was the first race of the weekend using the Canadian GP Qualifying results, causing Ciconte to start 11th. Filled with chaos and Safety Cars, Race 2 saw the Australian only able to remain in 15th, and out of the points paying positions. Continuing her newly created tradition, Ciconte’s second points finish came in the final race of the weekend – Race 3. Despite further chaos, the 16-year-old managed to climb two positions to finish in 9th. This secured her another two points, doubling her total.
Out of Championship contention
As we crossed the halfway point in the 2025 F1 Academy season, it is clear that Ciconte will not be in title contention in her debut season. With little single seater experience, 15th in the standings is objectively an okay position to be sitting in.
With many ups and downs within her performance this season, it is hard to hold expectations for Ciconte. While we hope to see her performance increase and become steady, anything can happen, with three rounds to go.
