Joanna Ciconte, the youngest driver on the F1 Academy grid, is entering the Canadian GP excited to take on a new challenge. Speaking to select media, including Pit Debrief, the young Australian driver shared her thoughts on new sponsorship and the thrill of racing alongside Formula 1.
Ciconte has already achieved her maiden F1 Academy points in Jeddah, where she took home 2 points. She will be aiming to add to her total in Canada, reaching for a higher position in the standings.
An unfamiliar track for the F1 Academy grid
Being the youngest driver on the F1 Academy grid at only 16 years old, Ciconte has an added challenge. She is less experienced than her competitors, however, this weekend could create a big opportunity for the Australian driver.
The female series heads to Canada this weekend for its fourth round. The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montréal will be particularly exciting as this is a completely new track for the entire grid. This should level the playing field for the drivers and give less experienced drivers, like Ciconte, a chance to shine.
“It’s my first time overall in Canada as well. I think it’s awesome that we’re all in the same boat and there has been some obstacle courses in the way, so it’s gonna make it a lot harder for us than usual, but I’m really proud and happy to represent Wella and to race in their colours. I’m just really excited to get racing.”
In response to a question from Pit Debrief about her expectations for the Canadian GP weekend, Ciconte shared her views on the characteristics of this track layout.
“This track is pretty repetitive with chicanes, so I think that’s really interesting. But it does have an overall difficulty, it’s not such an easy track. But I think it’s really interesting to see where we are stronger and where we are weaker. It’s a street circuit as well, which also makes it a lot harder.”
If an unfamiliar circuit was not a big enough challenge for the drivers, this round will be especially difficult as they will face three races instead of the usual two. Due to heavy rain during the Miami GP weekend, Race 2 was cancelled. This brings not only extra challenge, but extra excitement across the grid.
This weekend, two F1 Academy races will occur on Saturday and one on Sunday. Ciconte shared that the limited practice should add a new dynamic to the Canadian GP weekend.
“Overall, I think it’s going to be really exciting and to have three races with not much practice time is going to be really interesting to watch for you guys, your perspectives, but a little bit more pressure for us. But the show is going to be really fun.”
New sponsorships paving the way for new opportunities
This week, F1 Academy has not only welcomed a new track, but also a new partnership. From the Canadian GP, Ciconte will swap her F1 Academy backing for the bright red livery sponsored by Wella Professionals. After the recent announcement of Wella Professionals entering into a multi-year sponsorship for the series, Ciconte shared her pride in representing the brand.
“I’m very privileged. I think Wella is an awesome brand, they’re like a family. They’re super welcoming, and I’m really happy to represent them.”
Ciconte emphasised her appreciation for the brand in not only prioritising hair care when racing, but also their reputation for empowering women.
“I think it’s awesome that they get to mix around with my hair, I can be all prepped up for the races, and I think it’s awesome. Hair care is also really important because obviously when we put on our helmets, we can cause some sort of damage. It’s an awesome brand to represent empowerment with females, and in racing, that’s what we need. So I’m really privileged to race in their colours.”
As F1 Academy is becoming increasingly popular, the series is attracting more big name sponsorships. Now directly affiliated with the haircare brand, Ciconte shared how the partnership’s benefits go beyond the financial.
“A hundred percent beneficial. Whether it’s financially or just supporting, it’s definitely an advantage because F1 Academy does give us a lot of spotlight and the spotlight that we do deserve, but to have that support in the background and that extra spotlight really does mean a lot.
“I think it’s beneficial for the upcoming years. It brings our name out to people watching and who are interested in motorsport. That’s super important because all of us drivers want to make it to Formula One one day and to get that recognition and that spotlight at a young age, racing in the Formula One Academy series is really important.”
Having globally recognised brands promoting the female racing series is also increasing her confidence as a driver. Ciconte compared the lack of female representation in her younger karting years to now. This in combination with the all-female series, has reinstated her belief that a female will reach Formula One.
“It also gives us more belief. Like when I started in go-karting, I was one girl in a field of 50 boys. I never really had such strong belief compared to now. Now I really do believe that Formula One is possible for a female driver. So I think it’s a hundred percent beneficial to have support from big sponsors and big brands.”
Rookie season highs and lows
The Canadian GP marks the halfway point in Ciconte’s rookie season racing in F1 Academy. With three rounds under her belt so far, the Australian spoke on her experience.
“What I find the best is experiencing driving at a Formula One Grand Prix weekend. I think it’s such an amazing experience, and at such a young age, travelling the world and racing at these high crowd weekends is really phenomenal.”
Though enjoying her experience, it has not been without its challenges. As the youngest driver on the grid, Ciconte is up against drivers with more years of racing experience. Though recognising this as a challenge, she turned this into a positive as facing tough competitors will only improve her race craft in the long term.
“A challenge is versing girls that do have more experience, but it’s also beneficial in a way because it is a lot to learn from and it only helps me go forward. So I think that there’s more benefits and advantages than disadvantages. Just overall, it’s such a privilege to race in the Formula One Academy.”
Changing the tone, after a tough Miami GP
As Ciconte heads into Round 4 of her rookie F1 Academy season, she will be looking to change her luck. The Miami GP resulted in a DNF for the Australian, after contact with Chloe Chong.
“From Miami, it was a bit of a tough weekend overall for myself. It’s definitely not what we wanted. Not having race two to get it all done was also another challenge. Bringing it into this weekend, a track that none of us drivers have driven on, it’s just another hurdle, but I think that’s what’s going to make it really fun.”
Ciconte did not dwell on the result of the short weekend in Miami. She instead shared her excitement for having more track time at the Canadian GP round.
“As I said, we’re all on equal grounds and we are all going to get the same track time and I think it’s going to be super interesting. The racing is going to be really fun. I think we need more of it, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Inspiring the next generation
Representing Australia, Ciconte was asked by Pit Debrief her thoughts on her single-seater career in Europe. Ciconte moved from karting in Australia to single-seaters in Europe in 2024, where she impressed in multiple series. She reflected on her racing journey so far.
“I am happy more than ever and proud to represent my country, Australia. To look back at such a young age when I was in go-karting and to look up at the Formula One drivers is honestly phenomenal.”
Although only 16 years old, the Australian shared her joy at being a role model for younger girls looking to succeed in motorsport.
“To be in this position is great. It’s almost like a dream. To be an inspiration for the younger generation of females that are hoping to be in the F1 Academy one day or to be a Formula One driver really means a lot to me. Being at such a young age, travelling the world, racing alongside the Formula One, it’s awesome. I’m only 16, so to have that opportunity is really amazing.”
