Australian teenager Joanne Ciconte announced as the youngest driver on the all-female F1 Academy grid

Melbourne teenager Joanne Ciconte has become the youngest driver to join the 2025 F1 Academy, following the announcement of fellow Australian Aiva Anagnostiadis.

From Daniel Ricciardo’s grid kid to the top women’s motorsport category in the world.

Australian teenager Joanne Ciconte hailed a “dream come true” after she was announced as the youngest driver for the all-female F1 Academy this year.

The 16-year-old is the latest driver to be confirmed for the F1 backed series, run by former Williams test driver Susie Wolff, on Tuesday.

Ciconte is the second Australian driver to land a position on the F1 Academy grid, joining 17-year-old Aiva Anagnostiadis in the series in 2025.

The Melbourne teenager will make her debut in the opening round of the series in Shanghai, China, later this month, six years after she lined up as a grid kid for Daniel Ricciardo at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix.

Joanne Ciconte will make her debut in the F1 Academy in Shanghai, China, in late March. Picture: Supplied

“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,” Ciconte 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.

“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 line-up makes me even more proud as I fly the Australian flag.”

Ciconte started karting at the age of nine and secured multiple state championship podiums, including the 2023 Australian ladies pink plate champion.

She transitioned into Formula 4 and her talent was recognised as a finalist in the 2023 Ferrari Driver Academy shootout at the Fiorano test circuit in Italy.

Joanne Ciconte was selected as Daniel Ricciardo's grid kid at the Australian Grand Prix in 2019. Picture: Supplied

While overseas, Ciconte was scouted by Italian racing champions Giancarlo Fisichella and Marco Cioci, joining their Pro Racing Motorsport Academy.

She continued her development in single seaters in Europe in 2024, including the Spanish Formula 4 series.

The seven rounds of the third F1 Academy season will visit Shanghai, Jeddah, Miami, Montreal, Zandvoort, Singapore and Las Vegas – all in support of the F1 world championship.

“To be able to race in front of large crowds and the Formula 1 stars during Grand Prix weekends is a dream come true, and to be able to do that with such an experienced team like MP Motorsport is all I could ask for,” Ciconte said.

“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.”

Originally published as Australian teenager Joanne Ciconte announced as the youngest driver on the all-female F1 Academy grid