The 2025 F1 Academy season marks Emma Felbermayr’s debut in the all-female racing series. Her rookie campaign thus far has been a mix of ups and downs with moments of disappointment and frustration. However, there have also been victorious moments for the Austrian driver. After scoring her first points at the season opener in Shanghai, Felbermayr went on to take her maiden F1 Academy victory in Montreal for Race 2.
Felbermayr’s win at the Canadian GP weekend makes her the 16th driver to win in F1 Academy since the series’ debut in 2023. Emma Felbermayr comes from a family of competitive racers. She is apart of the third generation to race under the Felbermayr name after her father and grandfather. This means she adds another win to the Felbermayr name.
It is clear racing is in her blood, but who shaped the driver she is today? The Austrian driver looked back at the drivers who inspired her and the lessons she’s learnt from their stories.
Felbermayr’s first racing idol—Her Grandfather, Horst Felbermayr Sr
Felbermayr credits her racing career to her grandfather, Horst Felbermayr Sr. Her grandfather was the reason she started racing when she was a child and was her biggest supporter. Felbermayr Sr gifted Felbermayr’s brother a go-kart, which ultimately kicked off her career in racing simultaneously.
“My first racing idol is my grandfather, Horst Felbermayr Sr, because he supported me quite a lot when I was younger, and he’s the reason I started. My brother started because he was gifted a go-kart by my grandfather, and I also started then.“
Horst Felbermayr Sr was a key contributor to the Proton Competition team, competing in GT, and a major competitor across categories competing at Le Mans. The Austrian was also a driver who took the start in the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times. He competed in the series, namely in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Felbermayr Sr was always behind the wheel of either a Porsche 911 or 997 when he raced in Le Mans. When he participated, he was also often in the same team as his son and Emma Felbermayr’s father, Horst Felbermayr Jr.
Growing up in motorsports
Felbermayr spoke on growing up in a family of drivers and how their shared love for racing brought them closer. Her older brother is also involved in motorsport, competing in various Porsche series, as well as the Michelin Le Mans Cup.
“He raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans together with my father. They raced in one car, so it’s really nice. It was really cool to have a family with the same passion. I think this held us together quite nicely because we always had the same idea of what we wanted to do. My sister doesn’t race, so she’s a bit of a non-family member from this point of view. Otherwise, it’s amazing!”
Felbermayr Sr passed at the age of 75 on March 13th, 2020—at just 75 years of age. Felbermayr herself was participating in higher levels of karting races the same year. Namely the ADAC Kart Masters series and the CIK-FIA European Championship where she finished 48th. The Kick Sauber driver recalled her grandfather supporting her at her karting races when she was still racing only as a hobby. Despite his passing, she believes he is watching her at every race from above.
“He visited my go-kart racing, but he died some years ago, so he didn’t experience my high level of karting, just the hobby part. I know he’s looking down on me.”
A four-time Champion for an idol—Sebastian Vettel
Another one of Felbermayr’s racing idols is four-time World Champion, Sebastian Vettel. The Austrian recounts watching Vettel during his racing campaigns with Scuderia Ferrari when she was younger. She also spoke on watching Vettel winning his championship titles and the German’s personality.
“My second racing idol is Sebastian Vettel. When I was younger, I always looked up to him when he was racing with Ferrari for example, winning championships and just being the person he also is now.”
Sebastian Vettel continues to be an inspiration and racing idol for many young drivers, including Dennis Hauger and Kimi Antonelli, just to name a few. He is admired for his on-track achievements, aggressive driving style and dedication to the sport. However, his advocacy for issues beyond racing, such as climate change and human rights, is another reason why the German is so admired even after his retirement from the sport in 2022.
Felbermay’s racing number
In single-seater racing, drivers are allowed to choose a racing number to represent themselves. These numbers are a key part of a driver’s identity and brand, with fans often associating specific numbers with their favorite drivers. Felbermayr uses number 5 to represent her in F1 Academy—the same number Vettel had on his car when he was in F1. The Austrian revealed that she chose the number 5, due to the inspiration she took from Vettel. She continued to comment that she hopes to meet him in person one day.
“I think he is quite inspiring, and that’s also why I have the racing number five. I haven’t met him yet, I just have an autograph from him in my room so it’s really nice.”
The Kick Sauber driver also compared herself to other Formula One drivers, saying it was impressive to see them drive in faster versions of the cars she is now racing.
“I think the racing with other people is quite similar. They’re just driving at a higher speed in even faster cars so that’s quite different over one lap. Seeing the whole race is probably the thing I can look up to.”
Racing idol turned connection—Susie Wolff
Felbermayr named F1 Academy’s Racing Director—Susie Wolff—as her final racing idol. The Austrian told that she has followed Wolff’s career since she was a test driver for Williams Racing. Wolff was the first female driver to participate in a Formula 1 race weekend since 1992, when she took part in practice sessions at the 2014 British Grand Prix and the German Grand Prix.
This was inspiring for Felbermayr who is working her way to F1 herself. With F1 traditionally being a predominantly male-dominated sport, it was motivating to have a woman already achieve that goal and make history.
“My last racing idol is Susie Wolff. I always followed her career when she was driving an F1 car. It’s also quite inspiring to see a woman driving an F1 car, it’s of course my dream as well. It’s great to see that a woman has already achieved this.”
When Felbermayr made her debut at the season opener in Shanghai, she had met with the racing director, and she recounted the experience as “exciting” and “amazing”. The Austrian also shared the words Wolff shared with her during that meeting and their everlasting impact to this day.
“I met her for the first time in Shanghai and it was such a pleasure to speak with her. I had never met her before so it was really exciting. Of course, being surrounded by her and her team is just amazing. She says we should grab this opportunity — it’s maybe the only opportunity we have! For me, it’s the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had so I’m doing everything to make the most out of it and just have fun.”
