Victoria Farfus sets the pace in 2026 F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test

Victoria Farfus topped the timesheets as F1 ACADEMY concluded its 2026 Rookie Test at the Circuito de Navarra.

Designed to give up-and-coming young female drivers the chance to demonstrate their potential for a future full-time seat or Wild Card opportunity on a level playing field, the second edition of the Rookie Test featured an expanded format.

Last month’s Rookie Training Camp at Loughborough University saw the field undertake a range of physical and cognitive assessments alongside interactive workshops to accelerate their development on and off the track.

Following the camp, the drivers gained insights into the demands of competing in the series, immersing themselves within the six F1 ACADEMY teams during the 2026 field’s two days of in-season testing and participated in assessment activities.

The Rookie Test concluded with one day of on-track action. The 18 drivers representing 14 countries got behind the wheel of the F1 ACADEMY machinery, completing 1,447 laps across the board. Farfus secured the fastest overall time, the 15-year-old Brazilian posting a 1:46.988 to finish three tenths clear of Sofia Zanfari and Rosanne Den Drijver in the morning segment.

The afternoon running saw Alexia Danielsson top the timesheets, recording a 1:47.259 in the McLaren OXAGON-liveried car, beating Ella Lähdemaa and Farfus by two tenths. The Rookie Test also featured familiar names such as former 2026 Wild Cards Autumn Fisher and Zoe Florescu, alongside Mercedes junior Luna Fluxa Cross.

The success of the Rookie Test has already been seen, with seven drivers graduating to full-time seats following the inaugural event including Zandvoort Reverse Grid Race winner Payton Westcott and podium finishers Megan Bruce and Natalia Granada.

Katie Denver, Performance & Talent Development Manager, F1 ACADEMY said: “The Rookie Test has been a fantastic opportunity for the rookies to showcase their potential and benchmark themselves against other aspiring drivers and the current F1 ACADEMY grid.

“It has also provided valuable insight into the strengths, development areas and future potential of the next generation of female racing talent. The preparation and commitment shown by all participating drivers throughout the test has been impressive, and we look forward to following their continued progression.”