Audi F1 Academy driver Emma Felbermayr discusses her transition from karting to the international stage.

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      The mission of F1 Academy is to offer 20 young women a global platform to showcase their driving talents in elite motorsport and, importantly, to create a pathway for them to build a successful racing career. Series sophomore Emma Felbermayr is well on her journey, and with the backing of the Audi Formula 1 Team, she is the only driver to have scored points in every race this year.

      Now in its fourth season, the championship includes 14 races across six weekends at some of F1’s premier circuits. Felbermayr has won two of these races, currently second to Red Bull’s Alisha Palmowski, who has three wins at the halfway mark of the 2026 season. With two races remaining in Zandvoort, three in Austin, and the final two rounds in Las Vegas, Felbermayr is well-positioned to contend for the championship in her second and final year, as F1 Academy has a two-year term limit.

      The young Austrian's success isn’t confined to this year; she claimed her first series victory in 2025 with Rodin Motorsports under the Sauber banner before the team transformed into the Audi outfit. Furthermore, her impressive performances on the track extend beyond race day—whether in a reverse grid or not—showcasing strong qualifying results and remarkable comebacks from the back of the grid.

      I spoke with the 19-year-old during the Canadian Grand Prix to discuss her experiences in F1 Academy, her karting years, and her future aspirations. At first, I perceived Felbermayr as a bit shy and perhaps not fully prepared for media interactions compared to her F1 peers, Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. "No big deal," I thought initially. However, as our conversation progressed, it became clear that her demeanor wasn't a reflection of shyness or unpreparedness, but rather that of a grounded teenager.

      With support from her family—her father and grandfather having raced at Le Mans—Audi leadership, and mentoring from Academy head Susie Wolff, Felbermayr shared that she’s determined to make the most of every opportunity that arises. Identifying herself as an "open book," she mentioned during her discussion with The Drive that she isn't rushing into future endeavors; instead, her focus is on performing well now and allowing those results to shape her future.

      Like everyone else—including myself—she also enjoys indulging in a Netflix binge after a hectic weekend at the racetrack.

      Jerry Perez: Let’s start at the beginning—tell us about your karting years. How did that begin, how old were you, and what was your journey to F1 Academy like?

      Emma Felbermayr: I began karting at the age of seven. My brother got his kart when he was six, which inspired me to try it out. Since then, I have never looked back. Initially, it was just for fun and as a hobby. I was participating in national races but nothing on an international scale. When I was around 12 or 13, I wanted to compare myself to the best drivers worldwide, so we decided to race internationally, which marked a significant jump from the national level. It was challenging, especially at that age, because generally, drivers enter big international races between eight and ten years old, and I didn’t start until I was 13, which is quite late. I had to learn things that others had already mastered years earlier, making that transition the biggest challenge during those years.

      Ultimately, I competed in one international championship that included the world championship, European championships, and WSK races. It was a very busy time.

      What was the most challenging aspect of transitioning from karting to F1 Academy?

      I would say the most difficult part is dealing with the attention you receive. In karting, there aren’t many eyes on you. Handling that attention and pressure has been tough, and I’m also competing in the Italian Formula 4 championship, which adds to it. I always strive to perform well in everything I do.

      Then there’s all the traveling associated with the championship. So much is happening simultaneously, thus requiring me to focus on various aspects and learn a lot quickly.

      How do you feel about your performance this season—how are you feeling in the car and with the team?

      So far, I believe I’m maximizing my capabilities. Last year, I felt somewhat lost and unprepared for the challenges since everything was new to me. This year, I feel very confident with the team. I believe there were some differences or challenges last year, but we worked hard over the winter to make everything function smoothly and to prepare myself as best as possible. So, alongside the Rodin group, we have all worked diligently to achieve what we’ve accomplished thus far, and we will continue