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Aussie Ciconte to become youngest F1 Academy racer

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 4 March 2025

Teenager Joanne Ciconte has become the latest Australian to join F1 Academy and will be the youngest ever to do so.

At just 16 Ciconte will take on the world’s best female racers in F1 Academy for MP Motorsport.

The announcement comes just days after Aiva Anagnostiadis was announced as Australia’s first F1 Academy driver.

Now there will suddenly be two on the grid for the championship which races alongside Formula 1 at seven Grands Prix starting at China.

Ciconte breaks the record for the youngest F1 Academy driving having just turned 16 and snatched it from Chloe Chong, who raced in the inaugural season.

Joanne Ciconte will be taking on the best female races in the world in F1 Academy. Image: Supplied

She is the 16th driver announced with only one more seat to be announced at Rodin.

Ciconte cannot wait to take on the all female series.

“This is something that I’ve been working towards for a long time and to now actually be here makes me more inspired than ever,” she said.

“The F1 Academy has laid the foundations for women all over the world and given us the opportunity to represent our country while showcasing our skills as racing drivers. 

Joanne Ciconte blasting down the main straight at Sandown in the Australian Formula Open Championship.

“This would have been very difficult a few years back, a testimony to the impact of this incredible opportunity.

“To be the youngest participant in the 2025 lineup makes me even more proud as I fly the Australian Flag. 

“I’m grateful to be part of this amazing opportunity and for the mentorship from the Pro Racing Management Team, led by Marco Cioci and Giancarlo Fisichella.”

Joanne Ciconte was the Grid Kid with Daniel Ricciardo at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix. Image: Supplied

Ciconte started karting aged nine and scored multiple State Championship podiums led by the 2023 Australian Ladies Pink Plate Champion.

Last year she stepped up to cars and did so in Australian Formula 4 racing for Formula Race Academy and also has starts in Australian Formula Open.

Ciconte took part in the opening round at The Bend where she finished seventh, seventh and ninth across the first three races.

She also ventured to Spain to take part in the final two rounds of the 2024 Spanish F4 Championship at Jerez and Catalunya where she recorded a best result of 20th and has participated in the 2025 Formula Winter Series.

Ciconte was also a finalist in the 2023 Ferrari Driver Academy Shootout at Fiorano, while she has been mentored by three-time F1 Grand Prix winner Giancarlo Fisichella and GT racer Marco Cioci.

2025 F1 Academy calendar

Round 1: Chinese Grand Prix March 22-23

Round 2: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix April 19-20

Round 3: Miami Grand Prix May 3-4

Round 4: Canadian Grand Prix June 14-15

Round 5: Dutch Grand Prix August 30-31

Round 6: Singapore Grand Prix October 4-5

Round 7: Las Vegas Grand Prix November 21-22

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