16-Year-Old Joanne Ciconte joins MP Motorsport for 2025 F1 Academy season in a historic move

At just 16 years old, Australian driver Joanne Ciconte has taken a major step in her racing career by signing with MP Motorsport for the 2025 F1 Academy season. This move marks her transition from karting to single-seaters in record time, highlighting her rapid progression through the ranks. Ciconte’s inclusion in MP Motorsport’s lineup places her alongside seasoned competitors like Maya Weug and Alba Larsen, forming a formidable trio under the Dutch-based team.Joanne Ciconte's signing follows an impressive journey through various junior racing series, including a strong performance in the Australian F4 Championship and appearances in European competitions. Now, as she prepares to debut in Shanghai for the season opener, the young Australian is ready to take on the challenges of the global stage. Speaking about her opportunity, Ciconte expressed her excitement:“I’m proud to be moving up into the F1 ACADEMY series with MP Motorsport. 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.”Hailing from Melbourne, Ciconte began karting at just nine years old, quickly making a name for herself in Australian motorsport. A standout moment in her early career was her victory at the Australian Karting Championship's Pink Plate in 2023. Her exceptional performances led her to become a finalist in the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars program, where her potential caught the attention of former Formula 1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella. Under his mentorship, she transitioned to single-seaters in 2024, gaining crucial experience in the Australian F4, Central European Zone F4 Championship, and Spanish F4 Championship.What makes Ciconte’s journey even more remarkable is the fact that she has been racing at speeds of up to 245 km/h while not yet holding a driver’s license in Australia. Reflecting on this, she shared: “I celebrated my 16th birthday in December and planned to get my learner’s permit when I returned to Australia, but my schedule was so busy that I didn’t have the chance. It’s still funny: I’ve been driving at over 245 km/h since I was 15, and I’m still waiting for my learner’s permit.”The F1 Academy series, launched in 2023, is dedicated to promoting female talent in motorsport. Ciconte recognizes the significance of this platform, acknowledging the sacrifices her family has made for her career. She expressed her gratitude, saying: “F1 Academy means a lot to me. My family has made many sacrifices. After all this work, I am extremely grateful that Susie Wolff has given me this opportunity with less than a year of experience. F1 Academy is doing an incredible job in terms of visibility and is attracting more and more attention. I think this could bring me closer to my ultimate goal.”Also Read: "It will be tight": Red Bull Technical Director Pierre Wache admits team is behind Ferrari and McLaren for 2025 seasonCiconte’s debut season will take her to some of the world’s most iconic tracks, with seven rounds held alongside Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends. The championship kicks off in Shanghai on March 21, before moving to Jeddah, Miami, Montreal, Zandvoort, Singapore, and Las Vegas. Alongside her F1 Academy commitments, she will also continue competing in the Spanish F4 Championship to further sharpen her skills.