Audi has announced that Emma Felbermayr will return to F1 Academy in 2026 for her second season with the team, driving for Rodin Motorsport.
In her 2025 F1 Academy single-seater debut, Felbermayr impressed by finishing 10th in the Drivers’ Standings with 37 points. Standout moments from her season included a P5 finish, her first points in Shanghai’s Race 2, and a maiden victory in Montreal’s Race 2. Overall, she recorded six points-scoring finishes, including a double points-finish in Singapore.
The significance of Felbermayr’s Montreal victory
Alongside the announcement, Audi’s Team Principal, Jonathan Wheatley, spoke to F1 Academy at the Autosport Awards, highlighting the significance of her Montreal success.
“I have to talk very personally about it,” he said. “Emma’s win in Canada was one of the most extraordinary moments and I felt oddly emotional about it.”
Wheatley has contributed to eight World Constructors’ Championships, serving as a mechanic, chief mechanic, Team Manager and Sporting Director. However, Felbermayr’s win was special, as it was his first victory as a Team Principal.
“I’ve been involved in over 154 Grand Prix victories, but I felt so happy for her,“ he shared. “I think just seeing the sport growing and growing and growing all the time. I can’t wait to see the car in the new livery and I can’t wait to see Emma in the new Audi uniform.”
Audi’s support for female drivers
Notably, Audi has highlighted female drivers in the past, supporting icons such as Michele Mouton in the World Rally Championship and Rahel Frey. Audi has launched the Audi Driver Development Programme, led by former F1 driver Allan McNish, with Felbermayr joining as its newest member alongside F3 racer Freddie Slater.
Wheatley further added: “It’s interesting you say that because there’s some news coming out soon, which I’m not going to ruin in front of you now. Also, we learned a lot of lessons last year about how better to support drivers as they come through and find themselves at the cutting edge of competition, which they do in F1 ACADEMY.”
Building on her 2025 F1 Academy experience and support from Audi and its Driver Development Programme, Felbermayr will aim for a strong start to the 2026 season.
