The 2025 grid of the F1 Academy is starting to take shape: Rafaela Ferreira will race with Racing Bulls starting next season!
Following the announcement of Chloe Chambers’ renewal for her second season in the F1 Academy, news has emerged that Brazilian driver Rafaela Ferreira—who became the first woman to secure a pole position in the Copa Brasil de Kart 2022—will join Racing Bulls for the upcoming season of the female category led by Susie Wolff.
Regarding the opportunity that will open up next year for the Brazilian driver, she announced that she is extremely excited about the new adventure, already expressing a strong determination to achieve great results: “I’m extremely happy to be driving for the Visa Cash App RB Academy Programme in F1 ACADEMY in 2025. This opportunity represents a big step in my career, and is a dream come true to work with a team that has so much talent. I’m determined to give my best and go after great results. It’ll be something new for me, but I’m confident that we will achieve a lot together. I’m already preparing and am excited for next year!”
The team principal of the Faenza team, Laurent Mekies, also welcomed Ferreira, highlighting the contribution that the category led by Susie Wolff is making in inspiring young female talents in the world of motorsport: “Everyone at the Team is hugely excited to welcome Rafaela to the VCARB family. Rafaela is an exceptional emerging Brazilian talent, and we’re pleased to share this global, and empowering, platform to compete, race, and grow together“.
“F1 ACADEMY has been a great success this season, the exposure that it’s generated for women’s motorsport is revolutionary. I hope we can continue to inspire the next generation of female talent in motorsports, and we look forward to seeing Rafaela grow and flourish as a driver. The Team would also like to thank Amna for her commitment across the season, we look forward to watching her progress and wish her the best of luck in the next phase of her career.”
Mekies concluded by thanking Amna Al Qubaisi, the current driver supported by RB, who will be ending her journey in the F1 Academy at the conclusion of this season. Ferreira will indeed succeed the Emirati driver, who has reached the maximum of two seasons in the F1 Academy, as stipulated by the regulations.
As for this season’s F1 Academy championship, Susie Wolff’s girls will return to the track on November 29 at the Lusail circuit for the penultimate event of the year, where English driver Abbi Pulling is dominating the championship.
Who is Rafaela Ferreira?
As reported by the official F1 Academy website, “Ferreira stepped up to single-seaters after achieving karting success in her home country, becoming the first woman to score a pole position in the 2022 Copa Brasil de Kart, finishing fourth in the Championship. The following year she secured one podium in the F4 Brazilian Championship, racing at the Interlagos Circuit during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend. Returning for a second campaign this year, she made history as the series’ first female winner and currently sits fourth in the Championship, with two wins and a further five podiums to her name.“.
Photos: F1 Academy, Rafaela Ferreira.