Joanne Ciconte joins the F1 Academy 2025 with MP Motorsport

Joanne Ciconte, a young 16-year-old Australian driver, will be the third and final driver for the MP Motorsport team for the 2025 F1 Academy season. This nomination makes her the youngest participant on the grid this year and marks the second Australian presence in this competition after Aiva Anagnostidis, supported by TAG Heuer, was confirmed last week.

About this new stage of her career, Ciconte stated: « I am proud to join the F1 Academy with MP Motorsport. Racing in front of a large audience and alongside Formula 1 drivers during Grand Prix weekends is a dream come true. Doing it with a team as experienced as MP Motorsport is an incredible opportunity. »

From Australia to Europe: The Rapid Rise of a 16-Year-Old Pilot

Originally from Melbourne, Joanne Ciconte began karting at the age of nine, participating in regional and national championships in Australia. Among her notable successes is the victory at the Australian Karting Championship’s Pink Plate in 2023. Her early talent earned her a spot as a finalist in the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars program, an initiative aimed at identifying young female talent in motorsports. It was then that former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella noticed her, convinced of her potential, and under his mentorship, she prepared to join the F1 Academy.

The transition to single-seaters took place in 2024, a year during which Ciconte scored her first points in the Australian F4 before continuing her development in Europe. She participated in a round of the Central European Zone F4 Championship in Brno, Czech Republic, followed by two appearances in the highly competitive Spanish F4 Championship. Her preparation for 2025 was strengthened by her involvement in the Formula Winter Series last month.

At 245 km/h even before getting a driver’s license

The accelerated career of Ciconte is all the more remarkable considering the young driver doesn’t even have her driver’s license in Australia yet. As she told Fox Sports Australia: “I celebrated my 16th birthday in December and planned to get my learner’s permit when I returned to Australia, but my schedule was so busy that I didn’t have the chance. It’s still funny: I’ve been driving at over 245 km/h since I was 15, and I’m still waiting for my learner’s permit.”

For her, this new opportunity in the women’s F1 series goes beyond just being present in an international competition: « F1 Academy means a lot to me. My family has made many sacrifices. After all this work, I am extremely grateful that Susie Wolff has given me this opportunity with less than a year of experience. F1 Academy is doing an incredible job in terms of visibility and is attracting more and more attention. I think this could bring me closer to my ultimate goal. »

A springboard to the elite

At MP Motorsport, the young Australian will join Maya Weug (supported by Ferrari) and Alba Larsen (Tommy Hilfiger driver), forming a trio of drivers for the Dutch team.

The 2025 F1 Academy season will start in Shanghai on March 21, where Joanne Ciconte will make her official debut in the series. “I can’t wait to start the initial tests to further refine the car and our collaboration, and I am eager to compete in my first race in Shanghai,” she stated.

In parallel with the F1 Academy, Ciconte will also participate in the Spanish F4 Championship this season to maximize his racing experience.