Aston Martin Aramco nominates Ella Lähdemaa for 2026 F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test

Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team is pleased to announce its nomination of Ella Lähdemaa for the 2026 F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test and Training Camp. The 17-year-old Finnish racing driver will represent the team across the testing programme, marking an important opportunity in her single-seater racing career.

The 2026 F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test will take place at Circuito de Navarra from 9–11 September, with Ella set to take to the track behind the wheel of an F1 ACADEMY car carrying the Aston Martin Aramco livery. Alongside the on-track running, the test will give Ella the opportunity to experience the wider environment of an F1 ACADEMY team, including engineering sessions, driver briefings and the operational demands of professional junior single-seater racing, alongside 17 other drivers eligible to compete in F1 ACADEMY in the future.

The Rookie Test follows the inaugural F1 ACADEMY Rookie Training Camp at Loughborough University, which took place from 25–27 August. The three-day camp gave the nominated drivers the opportunity to undertake physical and cognitive assessments alongside workshops focused on areas including performance, resilience, strength and conditioning.

Ella has developed her talent through high-level international karting, competing in programmes including the Champions of the Future Academy Programme and WSK competitions, before progressing into Formula-style machinery in 2026. Her recent programme has included opportunities such as Kyojo Cup try-outs and testing at Mugello, continuing her development across different forms of single-seater machinery.

Ahead of the Rookie Test, Ella also visited the AMR Technology Campus for a tour of the state-of-the-art facility and content capture, providing an opportunity to experience the team environment.

Ella Lähdemaa said:

"I am very excited and honoured to have been nominated by the legendary Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team to participate in the F1 ACADEMY rookie training camp and test. I am very grateful for this opportunity and will do everything I can to achieve the best possible performances."

Nuno Pinto, Racing Director, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team Driver Academy, said:

"We're very pleased to give Ella this opportunity and to see a talented young driver take part in the Rookie Test. F1 ACADEMY is doing a fantastic job of creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of female racers, and we're looking forward to supporting Ella throughout the test. It's something we're very proud to be involved in and to play a part in developing future talent."