Payton Westcott Chosen to Line‑Up for F1 Academy Rookie Test
- PWR Racing
- Sep 11
- 2 min read
11 September 2025 — California’s rising star Payton Westcott has been selected among eighteen of the world’s most promising young female drivers to take part in the first‑ever F1 Academy Rookie Test, to be held 17‑18 September at the Circuito de Navarra.
This landmark rookie test, run alongside official F1 Academy testing, offers an equal opportunity stage for drivers aged 15‑21 to prove themselves under identical equipment and track conditions.On the first day, Payton and her peers will engage in team briefings, engineering sessions, and participate in physical and cognitive performance assessments provided by More than Equal, the series’ Official Driver Performance & Research Partner. Over the second day, the drivers will get behind the wheel of F1 Academy machinery, with six hours of track time to demonstrate pace, consistency, and technical skill. Payton is one of the youngest drivers on the roster, demonstrating both her rapid progression in single‑seaters and the trust the F1 Academy is placing in her potential. This opportunity comes as part of the series’ mission to advance female racing talent by offering equal access, support, and high‑quality development.
“Being selected for this test is such an honor,” says Payton. “I’m excited for the chance to compete alongside an exceptional group of (female) talent, to learn from the engineers and mentors, and to show what I can do behind the wheel under these equal‑opportunity conditions. This is another big step forward in my journey.”
Beyond the individual opportunity, this test supports broader aims: collecting data and insights to help foster the next generation of female racing talent and strengthening the talent pipeline for F1 Academy. Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy, emphasizes that the test reflects the series’ growing competitiveness and its commitment to fairness and opportunity.
What’s Next: Following the Rookie Test, Payton will continue her season in Italian F4, and will also contest the upcoming E4 Championship round at Mugello. She hopes the experience at Navarra will sharpen her skills and open up further opportunities in F1 Academy for 2026.
