Emma Felbermayr F1 Academy Driver Profile: Austria’s Rising Star Taking Audi to the Front in 2026
Emma Felbermayr F1 Academy represents one of the most compelling stories in junior motorsport right now. The Austrian racer is contesting her sophomore F1 Academy campaign representing Audi on the 2026 grid, and she has turned her second season into a title fight that nobody fully predicted. Nineteen years old, backed by a factory programme, and racing with a maturity that her age simply does not justify. Let’s look Through Her Eyes.
Emma Felbermayr F1 Academy: Fast Facts
- Nationality: Austrian
- Series: F1 Academy
- Represents: Audi
Emma Felbermayr F1 Academy: Background and Career Path
A third-generation racer, Felbermayr’s motorsport roots run deep, as both her father and grandfather competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That heritage gave her a head start in mentality, if not in track time. When she was 12 or 13, she wanted to see how she compared against the best drivers in the world. The jump to international competition was a huge step, because normally drivers start racing big international events between eight and ten, and she did not join until 13.
Felbermayr finished eighth in the ADAC Kart Masters and second in the Ladies Cup in her final year in the OKJ category. That learning curve intensified when she jumped straight into her first single-seater season in F1 Academy with Kick Sauber. Achieving six points-scoring finishes, she delivered her maiden win in Montreal Race 2. She finished that rookie year tenth in the standings. Not spectacular on paper. Quietly significant in context.
Inducted as the newest member of the Audi Driver Development Programme, she benefits from resources covering on-track performance, driving and engineering development, through to human performance and media and marketing. Allan McNish, who leads the programme, was clear about Audi’s intentions: “Her performance and dedication in her debut F1 Academy season were impressive, and we see great potential for her future. Supporting female talent is a key priority for our F1 operations.”
Allan McNish, Director of the Audi Driver Development Programme:
“We are delighted to officially welcome Emma Felbermayr to the Audi Revolut F1 Team family. Her performance and dedication in her debut F1 Academy season were impressive, and we see great potential for her future. Supporting female talent is a key priority for our F1 operations, and it is a source of pride for us to continue the legacy of strong female drivers who have succeeded with the Four Rings. We look forward to seeing Emma carry our colours on the grid in 2026.”
2026 Season: Consistency as a Weapon
Felbermayr is the only driver to have scored points in every F1 Academy race so far this year. That stat matters more than a single flashy result. Championships are built on floors, not ceilings, and the Austrian has raised her floor considerably from 2025. Felbermayr was the only driver to finish inside the top three in both races at the Shanghai opener, achieving Audi’s first podium and win at a Formula 1 weekend.
Her Silverstone reverse-grid win marked Felbermayr’s third career F1 Academy victory and fourth podium of the 2026 campaign, bouncing back after an unfortunate Montreal weekend that had cost her the championship lead. Alisha Palmowski confirmed her status at Silverstone by winning the feature race, bringing her total to 108 points. Felbermayr sits second with 78 points, meaning the gap is real but far from decisive with rounds at Zandvoort, Austin and Las Vegas still remaining. Check our Nina Gademan profile to understand exactly what Felbermayr is up against from third place in the standings.
With races at Zandvoort, three in Austin, and the final two rounds in Vegas still to contest, Felbermayr is well-positioned to challenge for the championship in her second and final year in the series, which operates a two-year term limit. That deadline gives 2026 a genuine sense of urgency. This is her last shot at the title, and she knows it.
What Makes Her Different
The consistency record is the headline, but the mentality is the real story. Felbermayr has been direct about her approach: “I want to be the hunter and not the hunted.” That is not PR language. It reflects a driver who came into 2025 as an unknown and spent all year learning, then arrived in 2026 ready to lead. Her car number is 5, racing for Rodin Motorsport.
There is also ambition beyond F1 Academy. She has spoken openly about wanting to race at Le Mans someday, noting it would mean even more because of what it would mean to her father. A family history at La Sarthe, a factory Audi connection, and a developing single-seater career. The pieces are interesting to watch assemble.
For the broader picture of women pushing into elite motorsport, read our feature on Susie Wolff and F1 Academy 2026, and our profile on Esmee Kosterman, who represents the next wave coming through behind Felbermayr. Keep up with every result and the live title battle on our GT World Challenge standings hub.