Edinburgh racing driver prospect Rachel Robertson, 18, has taken a step nearer her dream of one day filling a seat in a Formula One car.
Many experts believe it is only a matter of time before women compete at the pinnacle of motor sport and the next step for Rachel comes on Wednesday/Thursday as one of 18 females chosen for an F1 Academy Rookie Test at the Navarro circuit, Northern Spain.
The Edinburgh Reporter recently revealed that Rachel was the recipient of a £15,000 sponsorship package in the name of TV presenter Gabby Logan and designed to recognise up and coming female talent in a range of sports.
Since then things have moved on apace and the call from Suzie Woolf, Managing Director of F1 academy is a golden opportunity for Rachel, currently a member of Radical Racing for whom she achieved a scholarship which has taken her to study and train in Wiltshire from her home in Trinity, Edinburgh.
Susie Wolff says: “This is a landmark moment, not just for F1 Academy as a series, but for our sport. Over the past three years, the global female talent pool has grown stronger and more competitive, and our priority is to ensure that we have the best possible drivers competing in F1 Academy.
“With this test, we are providing 18 of the most promising talents with an equitable platform for them to demonstrate that they deserve a seat on an F1 Academy grid.”
In a statement the F1 Academy said: “With all 18 drivers competing on the same track under identical conditions and equipment the test offers a fair stage for the rookies to show they deserve a full-time seat or a wild card entry for the 2026 season.
“On the first day, participants will be immersed within an F1 Academy team during an official test day, where they will observe briefing and engineering sessions.
“They will also participate in research-led physical and cognitive assessments delivered by the series’ Official Driver Performance & Research Partners, More Than Equal, to support their individual development and progression.
“The assessments, delivered by More Than Equal, will provide drivers with detailed insights into their performance, including strength, cognition, and endurance, and identify individual areas for growth while contributing to a wider evidence base on female driver performance.
“The 2025 F1 Academy grid will also take part in the assessments, with the findings set to inform long-term strategies to better support female drivers at every stage of their careers.
“The two-day schedule will conclude with the participating drivers, aged 15-21, getting behind the wheel of F1 ACADEMY machinery with a total of six hours of testing available throughout the day.”
Rachel told the Daily Mail this week ahead of her selection: “If I get the phone call saying I’ve been selected then that means I can get a s.chance to prove myself against the other rookie driver
“And if it all goes well then I’ve got a really good shot of getting into the Fi Academy next year as a driver.
“There is such a high demand for drivers trying to get into the Academy …. If I can race in F1 Academy if proves to a lot of people that despite only seriously starting three years ago (in karting) . not coming from a multi millionaire family, not having a huge amount of experience anything is possible.”
