Nicole Havrda joins F1 Academy with American Express for 2025 season

Rising star Nicole Havrda has joined the F1 Academy grid for the 2025 season and will drive for Hitech Grand Prix with a sponsorship from American Express.

The 19-year-old Canadian driver became the first woman to win the Formula Pro USA Western Championship during the 2023 season, and last year she finished sixth in the Formula Regional Americas Championship, an F3 series across North America.

Now she’ll be on the F1 Academy grid, which launches its third season at the Chinese Grand Prix next month. This year’s F1 Academy schedule includes seven race weekends, including stops at the Miami Grand Prix and the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Havrda will partner with American Express, and run in a livery “inspired by the iconic American Express ribbon design,” according to a press release:

“I’m honored to partner with American Express for my F1 Academy debut this upcoming season. Their support fuels my drive to compete at the highest level and I’m thrilled to represent a brand that champions performance, resilience, and ambition, both on and off the track,” said Havrda in a press release.

“From the very beginning of our F1 Academy sponsorship, Amex knew it was important to support women on and off track. We’re proud to continue spotlighting local women-owned small businesses on the Amex livery throughout the season and to have Nicole Havrda in the driver’s seat of it,” said American Express Vice President Shiz Suzuki. “We’re so excited to cheer for Nicole as she embarks on her F1 Academy journey and competes alongside so many other talented women drivers.”

The winner of the F1 Academy Drivers’ Championship earns a fully-funded spot in the GB3 Championship for the following season. Last year Abbi Pulling, driving for Alpine, secured that seat with her F1 Academy title.

Now Haveda is one of the drivers aiming for that title in 2025.