Autumn Fisher to Make F1 Academy Debut as Standard Chartered Wild Card in Montreal
F1 Academy has confirmed that 18-year-old Autumn Fisher will compete as the Wild Card entry at Round 2 of the season, driving the #77 car at the iconic Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal. The entry is backed by Standard Chartered, the series' Official Wealth Management Partner and Official Corporate & Investment Banking Partner.
From Navarra to Montreal
Fisher's path to this moment began at last year's inaugural rookie test in Navarra, where her performance earned her the opportunity to step onto an F1 Academy race weekend. She will now make her full series debut in Canada, racing in a bespoke Standard Chartered race suit and carrying the bank's brand livery on her car.
The Montreal round takes place on one of the most celebrated circuits on the Formula 1 calendar — a venue where, as the F1 paddock itself prepares for another high-stakes weekend, Williams has confirmed fresh upgrades are also incoming. For Fisher, though, the focus is entirely on making the most of her debut opportunity on the F1 Academy stage.
Standard Chartered's Commitment to Female Talent
Standard Chartered joined F1 Academy as an Official Partner earlier in the season, and their support of Fisher's Wild Card entry represents that commitment translated into direct action. The bank's involvement reflects a broader mission: championing female talent and helping build sustainable pathways for women and girls to participate and advance in motorsport.
"We were proud to welcome Standard Chartered to F1 ACADEMY earlier this year, and their support of our Wild Card entry in Montreal shows that commitment in action," said Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy. "Creating opportunities that expand the pathway is at the heart of what we are building, and partnerships like this help turn ambition into access. The Wild Card initiative exists to give emerging talent the platform to step up, and we look forward to seeing Autumn make the most of her debut weekend on the F1 ACADEMY stage."
Tanuj Kapilashrami, Chief Strategy & Talent Officer at Standard Chartered, echoed that sentiment: "We're incredibly proud to support Autumn as the Standard Chartered Wild Card for Montreal, leveraging our global brand to champion female talent in motorsport through F1 ACADEMY. When we invest in women and girls through sport, we're reshaping what leadership, performance and possibility look like for the next generation. Now is her time!"
The Wild Card Pathway in Action
The Wild Card initiative, introduced in 2024, was designed precisely to strengthen F1 Academy's talent pool and give emerging drivers meaningful race weekend experience. The results speak for themselves: the programme has already produced eight drivers who have secured full-time seats on the 2026 grid, underlining its role as a genuine and credible step on the F1 Academy pathway.
For Fisher, the opportunity is significant. At just 18 years old, she heads to Montreal with a clear mandate — to demonstrate what she is capable of on the international stage.
"I'm incredibly excited to be joining the F1 ACADEMY grid in Montreal," said Fisher. "This is a huge moment for me, and I'm grateful to F1 ACADEMY and Standard Chartered for the opportunity. I can't wait to get on track and make the most of the weekend."
Ciara Gillan
Ciara is a Dublin native, award-winning film producer, podcaster and writer with 20 years of storytelling experience. A lifelong Leinster and Ireland rugby fan, she turned her attention to the grid after moving to Berlin and co-founding Formula Live Pulse. Now, she applies her producer’s brain to Formula 1, navigating the highs of Oscar Piastri’s rise and the unique stress of being an adopted Ferrari fan. She loves talking and talking about F1, if you give her the chance!