F1 Academy have announced that 16 year old Lisa Billard will be sponsored by Gatorade for the 2026 season. The young French driver already has an impressive racing record, being crowned Women’s Champion at the 2025 French F4 Championship at Le Mans.
2026 will not be Billard’s first time in F1 Academy machinery. She had her debut in 2025 as the Wild Card entry in Singapore, in which she was the series’ youngest ever Wild Card.
Gatorade continuing support of female racers
Gatorade have already shown their commitment to investing in female talent through their official partnership with F1 Academy until 2030. The drinks manufacturer aims to improve the performance of young female athletes in such a physically demanding sport.
Erick Scheel, President of PepsiCo Latin America Beverages, explained the company’s motivation to become more closely involved with the female racing series and its athletes.
“We are setting a precedent for young female athlete support and showcasing how when athletes get the right resources at the right time, everything changes. This partnership exemplifies the Gatorade ‘Is It In You?’ philosophy: to spark performance by leverage our knowledge and understanding of the science of hydration. By ensuring Lisa has access to science-backed resources and tailored performance support at this pivotal stage of her career, we’re empowering her to reach her potential and inspire the next generation.”
Pioneering female-focused hydration research
Ahead of the 2026 F1 Academy season, Billard will benefit from insights from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI). This will include hydration and recovery plans that she will be able to take forward into her rookie F1 Academy season. More broadly, the GSSI aims to research and improve knowledge of young women’s hydration in relation to elite athletic performance.
Billard shared her excitement for her rookie season in the series, as well as the benefit that the Gatorade sponsorship will give her.
“Single-seater racing pushes your body to the limit. You can lose up to 4kg of fluid, burn huge amounts of calories, and race in hot temperatures. So, working with a brand like Gatorade and GSSI to understand my hydration and recovery couldn’t be more important. I’m so excited to take on my first season of F1 ACADEMY in 2026, with the support of Gatorade behind me.”
