Las Vegas Finale: Westcott Becomes 2025’s Highest-Finishing F1 Academy Wildcard

Las Vegas, NV – F1 Academy Season-Finale, November 21–23, 2025

Payton Westcott, competing as the Visit Las Vegas–sponsored Wild Card entry in the F1 Academy finale on the Las Vegas Strip, completed a high-profile weekend marked by both promise and adversity. Supported by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Westcott raced in a special Vegas-themed livery, spotlighting the city’s role in her wildcard run.

Over the course of the three-day event, Westcott’s performance unfolded as follows: she placed P13 in Free Practice, slotted in P17 on the grid after qualifying, rose to P6 in Race 1 (in a race impacted by disqualifications and retirements), and unfortunately ended Race 2 with a DNF following contact.

The Race 1 result not only marked her best finish of the weekend but also established her as the highest-finishing wildcard entry in the 2025 F1 Academy season, with only one finishing opportunity, underscoring her ability to maximize every opportunity on track.

Her participation in Las Vegas marks a milestone — not only was she the only wildcard driver, but she also brought considerable attention as a young American talent racing on home turf. The weekend offered substantial exposure, valuable experience on street circuits, and an opportunity to compete on one of the world’s most iconic motorsport stages.

This finale caps off what has already been a busy and varied season for Westcott, further underscoring her trajectory in junior single-seater racing and her potential going forward.