Is Jade Jacquet the Future Star of Formula 1 with Williams Racing for the 2026 F1 ACADEMY Season?
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Synopsis
Excitement brews in the motorsport world as Williams Racing signs 16-year-old Jade Jacquet for the 2026 F1 ACADEMY season. With her impressive track record and determination, Jacquet is poised to make waves in the racing arena as she embarks on this thrilling journey.
Key Takeaways
- Williams Racing signs Jade Jacquet for the 2026 season.
- Jacquet has a strong background in karting and F4 competitions.
- The Williams Racing Driver Academy will support her development.
- Her signing highlights the push for female representation in motorsport.
- Jacquet is eager to learn and grow within the team.
Grove, Dec 2 (NationPress) Williams Racing has officially signed 16-year-old Jade Jacquet as their latest driver for the upcoming season, marking them as the most recent team to announce their 2026 F1 ACADEMY participant.
Jacquet began her international karting journey in 2023 and competed in the French Junior Karting Championship the subsequent year. Transitioning to single-seaters at the age of 15, she achieved several top-20 finishes throughout the 2025 French F4 season, including a commendable P11 at the iconic Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans.
Additionally, she earned the Female Trophy at the Dijon-Prenois circuit. The talented French driver also took part in the inaugural F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test, where she recorded the seventh-fastest time during the afternoon session.
Jacquet will join the Williams Racing Driver Academy while competing with ART Grand Prix next year. She will work closely with the Grove team and gain access to all Academy resources.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the Williams Racing Driver Academy and F1 ACADEMY for the 2026 season,” Jacquet expressed. “The team has welcomed me warmly, and I look forward to learning as much as possible during my debut season. Thank you to Atlassian Williams Racing for believing in me, and I can’t wait to get on track.”
Sven Smeets, Sporting Director at Atlassian Williams Racing, stated: “We are thrilled to welcome Jade as our Atlassian Williams Racing driver in F1 ACADEMY. Jade has made remarkable strides in her motorsport career and has shown great potential for the future, already proving her ability to learn and adapt during her transition to single-seaters.
“As a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy, we are committed to closely supporting her development both on and off the track. Our team continues to advocate for Formula 1 and F1 ACADEMY’s shared mission of promoting female representation in motorsport, and we eagerly anticipate Jade's 2026 campaign.”
Point of View
Jade Jacquet's signing with Williams Racing signifies a pivotal moment in motorsport, reflecting the increasing commitment to nurturing young talent and enhancing female representation in a traditionally male-dominated arena. This move not only bolsters Williams' driver lineup but also resonates with the broader goals of inclusivity and diversity within the sport.
NationPress
02/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jade Jacquet?
Jade Jacquet is a 16-year-old racing driver from France, recently signed by Williams Racing for the 2026 F1 ACADEMY season.
What achievements does Jade have in her racing career?
Jade has participated in the French Junior Karting Championship and achieved top-20 finishes in the 2025 French F4 season, along with winning the Female Trophy at the Dijon-Prenois circuit.
What is the F1 ACADEMY?
The F1 ACADEMY is a program aimed at promoting female drivers in motorsport, providing them with opportunities to develop their skills and compete at higher levels.
