Here is the thing about unearthing fresh talent: when they get a level playing field, they immediately show you what that machine can really do. That is precisely what went down at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain, where the 2026 F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test wrapped up its second and expanded edition, giving young racers a massive stage to demonstrate their potential for a future full-time seat or Wild Card opportunity.
Let me tell you, the preparation for this test was no joke. Last month, the field headed to Loughborough University for a Rookie Training Camp packed with physical and cognitive assessments, plus interactive workshops designed to speed up their development both on and off the track. Following that intense camp, the drivers dove right into the demands of the series, immersing themselves within the six F1 ACADEMY teams during two days of in-season testing and assessment activities.
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.
When it finally came time for the single day of on-track action, 18 drivers representing 14 countries jumped behind the wheel of the F1 ACADEMY machinery. They did not waste a single moment, churning out a staggering 1,447 laps across the board. Amidst all that frantic action, it was Victoria Farfus who stole the show. The 15-year-old Brazilian posted a stunning 1:46.988 to secure the fastest overall time, finishing three tenths clear of Sofia Zanfari and Rosanne Den Drijver during the morning segment.
As the afternoon sun beat down on the circuit, the times shifted. Alexia Danielsson took charge of the timing screens, recording a swift 1:47.259 in the McLaren OXAGON-liveried car. That blistering lap put her two tenths ahead of Ella Lähdemaa and our morning pacesetter, Farfus. The track was also packed with other familiar names, including former 2026 Wild Cards Autumn Fisher and Zoe Florescu, alongside Mercedes junior Luna Fluxa Cross.
If you are wondering whether these tests actually lead anywhere, look at the numbers from the inaugural event: seven drivers from that first test successfully graduated to full-time seats. That impressive list includes Zandvoort Reverse Grid Race winner Payton Westcott, alongside podium finishers Megan Bruce and Natalia Granada.
Katie Denver, Performance & Talent Development Manager at F1 ACADEMY, perfectly captured the mood of the paddock after the dust settled: “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.” Denver added, “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.”
