Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Programme driver Luna Fluxa Cross will make her F1 Academy debut at the 2026 season finale in Las Vegas, having been confirmed as the sixth and final Wild Card entry of the campaign. The 16-year-old Spanish racer will compete in the #10 Visit Las Vegas-sponsored car operated by Hitech, joining the championship grid for the final round on 19–21 November.
The opportunity represents another significant milestone in Fluxa Cross’s developing career, following her successful transition from karting to single-seater competition earlier this year. Having previously made history through her involvement in the Mercedes junior programme and her achievements in international karting, she will now gain experience competing on a Formula 1 race weekend.
Her selection also follows a promising appearance at the 2026 F1 Academy Rookie Test in Navarra, where she finished sixth-fastest in both sessions. The performance provided an encouraging introduction to the championship’s machinery ahead of her first competitive appearance on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
Fluxa Cross progresses through Mercedes junior programme
Fluxa Cross began karting at six years old, progressing through the Spanish national categories before competing internationally in the WSK championships, IAME Euro Series and FIA Karting European and World Championships. Her early performances attracted the attention of Mercedes, which recruited her to its Junior Programme in 2022, making her the first female driver to join the manufacturer’s young driver development initiative.
The appointment marked an important breakthrough for the then 11-year-old, who subsequently continued competing across Europe’s leading karting championships while receiving support from the Formula 1 team. Her progression included experience in the Mini and OK Junior categories before stepping up to senior-level machinery.
The Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Programme’s 2026 announcement confirmed her continued involvement with the manufacturer as she prepared for the next stage of her career. Having established herself in international karting, Fluxa Cross began working towards the transition to single-seaters, with Mercedes continuing to support her development.
Her progress also reflects the increasing opportunities available for young female competitors, particularly through development initiatives designed to support their progression into higher levels of motorsport.
Historic 2024 karting championship establishes Fluxa Cross as rising talent
One of Fluxa Cross’s most significant achievements came in 2024, when she secured the OK-N Senior title in the Champions of the Future Academy Program. Competing as an F1 Academy Discover Your Drive-supported karter, she delivered a dominant championship campaign and eventually finished 125 points ahead of her closest rival.
According to F1 Academy, her achievement made her the first female driver to win an FIA international championship since Susanna Raganelli’s World Karting Championship success in 1966. The historic result further strengthened Fluxa Cross’s reputation as an emerging talent and demonstrated her ability to compete successfully against experienced international opposition.
Her performances also earned her the inaugural F1 Academy Rising Star Award, recognising her achievements and potential as she continued progressing through the junior racing categories.
Having developed her experience across several competitive karting championships, Fluxa Cross subsequently turned her attention towards Formula 4, beginning preparations for her first full season in single-seater machinery.
Spanish F4 campaign provides valuable single-seater experience
Fluxa Cross made her single-seater debut during the 2026 Eurocup-4 Spanish Winter Championship, competing with Campos Racing. Her first event at Portimão provided an immediate indication of her potential, as she secured a podium finish during the weekend and demonstrated her ability to adapt to the different demands of Formula 4 machinery.
She subsequently contested the F4 Spanish Championship, continuing her development against an established field of junior drivers. Although the transition presented challenges, Fluxa Cross recorded a best finish of eighth at MotorLand Aragón, gaining valuable experience throughout her first season competing in cars.
The progression represented a significant adjustment from karting, particularly in relation to braking performance, aerodynamic characteristics and race management. Competing across different circuits also provided opportunities to improve her understanding of car setup and develop her working relationship with engineers.
Her performances ultimately established a foundation for further single-seater experience, with the F1 Academy Wild Card opportunity allowing her to compete in another unfamiliar environment before the conclusion of the year.
The Las Vegas appearance will also reunite Fluxa Cross with the wider Mercedes-supported development structure, although she will race under the Visit Las Vegas banner rather than the manufacturer’s regular F1 Academy entry.
Navarra Rookie Test provides preparation for F1 Academy debut
Fluxa Cross’s selection follows her participation in the 2026 F1 Academy Rookie Test at Circuito de Navarra, where several emerging drivers received an opportunity to experience the championship’s machinery and demonstrate their potential.
The Mercedes junior produced competitive performances across both sessions, finishing sixth-fastest in the morning and afternoon. Her consistency provided an encouraging indication of her ability to adapt to the car ahead of her first race weekend in the category.
During the morning session, Fluxa Cross improved to a 1:47.662, placing her among the leading competitors as the field continued searching for improvements. Brazilian driver Victoria Farfus ultimately established the benchmark with a 1:46.988, while the closely matched timesheets demonstrated the competitive nature of the test.
Having completed the test, Fluxa Cross will now experience the additional demands of a competitive F1 Academy weekend, including qualifying and racing on an unfamiliar street circuit.
Fluxa Cross excited for Las Vegas Wild Card opportunity
Fluxa Cross will become the final Wild Card entrant of the 2026 season when she joins the F1 Academy grid in Las Vegas. The Spanish driver will compete in the #10 Visit Las Vegas entry operated by Hitech, making her championship debut during one of Formula 1’s most prominent events.
The Las Vegas Strip Circuit will provide a different challenge from the permanent circuits she has encountered throughout her Formula 4 campaign. Its long straights, heavy braking zones and limited run-off areas will require precision and confidence, particularly as she adapts to racing in an unfamiliar championship environment.
Following the official confirmation of her Wild Card appearance, Fluxa Cross expressed her enthusiasm about joining the championship for its season-ending event.
“I’m incredibly excited to announce that I’ll be joining the F1 ACADEMY grid as a Wild Card entry in Las Vegas! It’s an amazing opportunity and a very special experience that I’m looking forward to. I can’t wait to get out on track and make the most out of the weekend.”
The appearance will provide an opportunity to build on her karting achievements and recent single-seater experience while gaining further exposure to international competition.
Las Vegas finale offers opportunity to conclude 2026 on a high
The 2026 F1 Academy season will conclude at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit from 19–21 November, with the championship returning to the venue for its final event. The weekend will feature practice and qualifying on Thursday, followed by the Reverse Grid Race on Friday and the Feature Race on Saturday.
According to the official Formula 1 weekend timetable, F1 Academy qualifying will begin at 21:30 local time on Thursday, with Friday’s race scheduled for 18:15 and Saturday’s finale at 16:20. Both races will take place over 13 laps, providing Fluxa Cross with two competitive opportunities during her championship debut.
Although her appearance is currently confirmed only for the Las Vegas round, the weekend will offer valuable experience of the environment and demands of racing alongside Formula 1. Her performance will also provide another opportunity to assess her development after completing her first season in Formula 4.
Having already secured a historic international karting title and made a promising transition into single-seaters, Fluxa Cross will now aim to build on that progress as she makes her F1 Academy debut with Hitech.
