Victoria Farfus Leads the 2026 F1 Academy Rookie Test
Victoria Farfus emerged as the fastest in the 2026 F1 Academy Rookie Test at Spain's Circuito de Navarra. The event offered young female drivers a platform to showcase their skills for future racing opportunities.
The 2026 F1 Academy Rookie Test wrapped up at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain, with Victoria Farfus setting the pace. This event offers up-and-coming female drivers a chance to shine, with an eye on securing full-time seats or Wild Card entries.
The Rookie Test format was expanded this year, building on last month’s training camp at Loughborough University, where drivers underwent physical and cognitive evaluations and participated in workshops to boost their development both on and off the track.
Following this camp, the drivers were immersed in the demands of the series, working closely with the six F1 Academy teams during in-season testing and engaging in various assessment activities.
The test concluded with a single day of on-track action, during which 18 drivers from 14 countries completed a total of 1,447 laps. Fifteen-year-old Brazilian Victoria Farfus posted the fastest time, clocking in at 1:46.988, three tenths ahead of Sofia Zanfari and Rosanne Den Drijver in the morning session.
In the afternoon, Alexia Danielsson led the session with a time of 1:47.259 in the McLaren OXAGON-liveried car, narrowly beating Ella Lähdemaa and Farfus by two tenths. The test also featured familiar faces such as former 2026 Wild Cards Autumn Fisher and Zoe Florescu, as well as Mercedes junior Luna Fluxa Cross.
The Rookie Test has already proven its worth, as seven drivers from last year's event have moved into full-time seats, including Zandvoort Reverse Grid Race winner Payton Westcott and podium finishers Megan Bruce and Natalia Granada.
Katie Denver, the Performance & Talent Development Manager for F1 Academy, remarked, "The Rookie Test has been an excellent opportunity for the rookies to showcase their potential and compare themselves to other aspiring drivers and the current F1 Academy grid. It has also provided valuable insights into the strengths, areas for development, and future potential of the next generation of female racing talent."
Denver praised the preparation and commitment shown by all participating drivers and expressed excitement about following their continued progression.