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F1 Academy's 2026 season lineup gains momentum with Mercedes confirming 16-year-old American Payton Westcott as their driver, operated by PREMA Racing. Chinese racer Shi Wei returns as the first Wild Card entry for the Shanghai opener.
Payton Westcott, a karting standout from California, steps up to a full F1 Academy campaign with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS after her Wild Card debut in Las Vegas, where she finished P6 in Race 1. The 16-year-old, who began karting at age six, notched a Female Trophy win in the Formula Winter Series and became the first woman to victory in the UAE Trophy series. She'll balance F1 Academy with Italian F4 to build racecraft.
Mercedes Driver Development Advisor Gwen Lagrue praised Westcott's maturity and adaptability from 2025 stints in Italian F4 and UAE F4. Reigning champion Doriane Pin, now a Mercedes Development Driver, will mentor her trackside. Westcott aims to push limits on new tracks, calling it a dream with a team of excellence.
Shi Wei, known as 'Tie Dou', returns as the first 2026 Wild Card for Round 1 in Shanghai, racing before her home crowd during the Chinese Grand Prix on March 13. The Chinese driver made history as F1 Academy's first from her country last season and recently won the F4 Chinese Masters--- the first F4 victory by a Chinese female driver.
The Wild Card program, launched in 2024, boosts regional talent at select rounds, with PREMA or Hitech operating the car; eight of 17 full-time 2026 seats now held by ex-Wild Cards. Shi aspires to inspire Chinese women in motorsport through persistence. Federation VP He Jiandong hailed her as a growth symbol for female racing in China.
These announcements join others like Lisa Billard and Esmee Kosterman. F1 Academy, the all-female series supporting F1 Grands Prix, awards FIA Super Licence points and caps drivers at two seasons to promote progression.
Westcott's signing underscores Mercedes' youth investment post-Pin, while Shi's return highlights Wild Cards' pathway success. Expect a competitive grid emphasizing emerging female talent amid growing global interest in women's motorsport. The season promises thrilling battles, technical growth, and diverse representation.