2025 F1 Academy Mid-Season Review: Courtney Crone

Courtney Crone 2025 F1 Academy with Haas F1 Team
Photo Credit: X | HaasF1Team
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After making a brief but intriguing debut as a Wild Card entry for PREMA Racing in 2024, Courtney Crone returned to the F1 Academy grid in 2025 as a full-time driver with ART Grand Prix. With backing from the Haas F1 Team, the American arrived with legitimate expectations and the spotlight firmly on her. Although halfway through the season, Crone remains without a single point to her name.

A start Crone wasn’t hoping for

Crone’s first race weekend in China was modest but not without merit. After qualifying 15th, the American driver gained ground in both races, finishing P12 each time. While she fell short of scoring points, the Haas-backed rookie showed encouraging pace. It wasn’t the start she may have hoped for, but it also wasn’t a disastrous one.

A tough battle in Jeddah

The following round in Jeddah brought unwanted attention. On lap 4 of Race 1, Crone collided with Lia Block, spinning her out and causing collateral damage to Chloe Chong’s car – forcing Chong to retire. Crone was handed a 10-second time penalty for the incident. Though she rebounded with a cleaner performance in Race 2, she again finished outside the top 10, with little to suggest immediate redemption.

The ups and downs from Miami to Montreal

Miami offered what looked like a potential turning point. Crone managed to bring the car home in P9 during the first race – technically her best result of the season. However, the finish came after a chaotic contest that saw three drivers retire, casting doubt on whether it was a genuine breakthrough or simply a fortunate outcome.

Any optimism from Miami quickly faded in Montreal. In Race 3, Crone’s progress was undone by a collision with Emma Felbermayr that sent her off track on lap 14, marking another missed opportunity and another race outside the points.

One constant: Still pointless

So far, Crone’s debut season has been marked by inconsistency, on-track incidents, and missed chances. Despite flashes of potential, her performances have yet to translate into results. If she’s to make a case for remaining on the F1 Academy grid in 2026, the second half of the season will need to look very different from the first. Talent isn’t in question, but in motorsport, results always are.