Feature

17 Sep 2026

Ella Lähdemaa: Finding confidence in the F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test

From the surprise of getting the call to finding her speed, Ella Lähdemaa reflects on being selected by Aston Martin Aramco to represent the team at the F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test, and reveals how the experience taught her to believe in her talents behind the wheel.

For Ella Lähdemaa, the call to drive for Aston Martin Aramco at the 2026 F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test took a little time to sink in.

The opportunity marked the culmination of weeks of preparation, from a Rookie Training Camp at Loughborough University to a visit to the AMR Technology Campus at Silverstone, before finally climbing into F1 ACADEMY machinery at Circuito de Navarra.

It was a new car, a new environment and a chance to measure herself against some of the most promising young female drivers in the world.

What she discovered was as valuable as any lap-time: with patience, focus and belief, she could find speed even when the pressure was on.

Here, Ella reflects on her first experience of F1 ACADEMY, representing Aston Martin Aramco, and what the Rookie Test taught her about herself.

Ella, you must have been delighted when you found out you had been selected to represent Aston Martin Aramco in the F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test – what was that moment like?

"It felt incredible. I was really surprised that I got the opportunity. I got the call and I was a little bit in shock. I thought, 'Wow, is this really happening?' I couldn't believe it at first. I needed a couple of days to really take it in.

"My family and friends were so happy for me because they knew that I had worked really hard for such an opportunity. My dad got the call as well, and he almost started crying! It was really special."

Before the Rookie Test, what experience had you had in similar cars to the F1 ACADEMY car?

"I have driven an F4 car in Italy and Spain before. I knew the basics of how the car works and how you drive it, such as the braking points and things like that, but even so the F1 ACADEMY car was still different to drive, so I needed to get used to it."

What were the biggest differences?

"The car had a bit of understeer, so I was surprised by that and I needed to get confident with it. The steering was a bit different, and also how I needed to use the brakes was different.

"I needed to build confidence to carry more speed through the corners but I did as the test progressed and I was really pleased with my performance."

How do you find that challenge of getting into a new car and adapting to it?

"I really enjoyed it because I want to improve myself, and I know driving different cars makes that possible.

"I needed to take a couple of sessions to get to know the car, but after that I felt confident and then I started to do fast lap-times.

"When you get into a new car and you aren't confident, it's pretty impossible to drive fast. So I really needed to build up step by step.

"When I got that confidence behind the wheel, it was really good. It was something that I will remember for a long time."

I always try to look at what the best drivers do and put that into my own driving to improve myself.

You were driving the Aston Martin Aramco-liveried F1 ACADEMY car – did that mean much to you?

"It felt amazing because I love Aston Martin Racing Green. It's really an iconic colour, and for me it's important that the colour of the car looks good!

"It felt incredible to represent Aston Martin Aramco in the test. And it felt a bit surreal because last year I didn't even know if I was going to be driving this year, so to be in the Aston Martin car was really special. I'm really grateful to the team for offering me the opportunity."

How would you describe your driving style?

"I think I'm really smooth with my driving and with my overtakes, and also consistent because I build my speed lap by lap, and then I get into a zone where I can keep it up.

"I'd also say I'm calm behind the wheel. I don't think that much when I'm driving fast; it just feels natural, and it gives me a calm state of mind.

"When I don't think too much and overthink, that's when I'm at my fastest."

Are there any drivers you look up to or try to learn from?

"From F1 ACADEMY, Alba Larsen. I met her and really enjoyed chatting to her. She's also so calm and it's clear she knows what she's doing when driving.

"In terms of F1, I'd say Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso. Fernando shows that age isn't a problem and that you just have to believe in yourself. That's the point when you get the best out of yourself.

"I always try to look at what the best drivers do and put that into my own driving to improve myself as much as possible.

"When I see someone who is faster than me, I try to look at what they're doing. Then I can learn and see if I can replicate it."

Before getting to Navarra, you also took part in the Rookie Training Camp at Loughborough University – how was that experience?

"I found it really useful. We had physical testing and cognitive testing, and it was good to see my data for that because I could see where I'm strong and where I can improve.

"They told us what we had to do to prepare for the Rookie Test, and I tried to take in as much information as possible. We did workshops on topics such as strength and conditioning, performance lifestyle, and resilience.

"I wanted to really show my potential and show that I care about what I'm doing at the test. So I took care of myself, ate well and did as much right as I could before getting to the track – going to Loughborough really helped me see what I needed to do."

You also visited the team's home at the AMR Technology Campus in Silverstone – what was your reaction to seeing the facility?

"I couldn't believe how huge it was!

"It was fantastic. I hadn't been in an F1 facility before, so I was really surprised by the size of it and how many people work there. It's something that I will remember for a really long time.

"One of my favourite moments from the day was seeing the cockpit of the AMR26. It's really, really small – actually around the same size as F4. I found that hard to believe.

"I really appreciate the team giving me that extra experience."

I learned that it's possible to get my best performance under pressure.

Looking at the whole experience – from Loughborough, to the AMR Technology Campus, and then the test itself – what did you learn most?

"I learned what it takes to get into F1 ACADEMY and what you need to be as a driver in the series on and off the racetrack.

"On the track, I learned that if I believe in myself and build my confidence, I can be really competitive.

"I'm a little bit insecure sometimes about my driving, but the test showed me what I can do.

"It's just about how focused you are. You just have to be focused on yourself and do your best, and that's enough.

"Sometimes I think that when I'm under pressure, I'll find it difficult to perform. But I learned that it's possible to get my best performance under pressure.

"Off the track, I learned that there are many different ways you can prepare as a driver. Everyone has their own way.

"I also learned how big F1 ACADEMY is as a series. That matters when preparing because you know how many people are involved and how important it is to therefore give your best and present yourself in the right way.

"It was interesting learning about the social media side and the interest in the series online. I didn't expect it to be as big as it is. It highlighted what an opportunity it is to race in F1 ACADEMY."

Finally, how important do you think opportunities like the Rookie Test are for young women looking to progress in motorsport?

"I think it's really important because it's a huge opportunity to show every driver's potential.

"It's also an amazing chance to represent some F1 teams and get more social media exposure and followers. That's something that helps a driver to grow their profile and hopefully get more driving opportunities.

"And by just being in the F1 ACADEMY environment, you get a lot more information than you get anywhere else from other girls and women in motorsport. So you can learn from them too.

"The test was a really good chance for every girl to improve herself. And because we had the physical testing beforehand, we also got information about where we need to improve for the future – something we wouldn't have got otherwise.

"The whole experience will help me with my driving a lot. Thank you again to Aston Martin Aramco, F1 ACADEMY, and PREMA, for selecting me."