Breaking News: Haas Backs Kaylee Countryman for 2026 F1 Academy Season with ART Grand Prix
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking News: Haas Backs Kaylee Countryman for 2026 F1 Academy Season with ART Grand Prix
- 2. Key Facts at a Glance
- 3. evergreen insights for the long term
- 4.
- 5. Kaylee Countryman Joins teh Haas Driver Academy
- 6. Early Racing Resume: From Karting to Formula 4
- 7. 2026 F1 Academy Season with ART Grand Prix
- 8. Team Alignment
- 9. Season Calendar Overview
- 10. Performance Targets
- 11. Impact on American Female Driver Development
- 12. Key Benefits for Haas and ART Grand Prix
- 13. Practical Tips for Aspiring Young Drivers (Inspired by Countryman’s Path)
- 14. Real‑World Example: Countryman’s 2025 Formula 4 Win at Road America
The Money Gram Haas F1 Team will support American teenager Kaylee Countryman in the 2026 F1 Academy series, pairing the 15-year-old with ART Grand Prix in a haas-liveried car. countryman will be 16 at the season’s start, which is scheduled to unfold across the calendar’s early months.
Countryman confirmed the arrangement, expressing enthusiasm about representing Haas F1 Team and ART Grand Prix in the 2026 F1 Academy. She highlighted the possibility to advance in a professional setting and to experience racing on a global slate of circuits as part of F1 Academy’s broader growth mission.
“I’m thrilled to have this chance to represent Haas F1 team and ART Grand Prix in the 2026 F1 Academy,” she said. “I’m eager to take another step in my career, learning to thrive within a professional habitat. I’m excited about the diverse circuits we’ll visit and about contributing to what F1 Academy stands for.”
Countryman’s path into racing began three years ago in four-stroke karting, before moving up to two-stroke karts and international competition in 2023. In 2025, the Chandler, Arizona native transitioned to the USF Juniors framework with Exclusive Autosport, recording four top-10 finishes, and she also took part in F1 Academy testing in Navarra.
“Welcoming Kaylee Countryman to the team as our 2026 F1 Academy driver is a thrill,” said Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team principal. “Her personality and passion for the sport are contagious, and we will provide her with access to resources, personnel, and guidance to help her flourish in the F1 Academy.”
The 2026 F1 Academy season is set to begin at the Shanghai International Circuit, from March 13 to 15, coinciding with the F1 Chinese Grand Prix weekend.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Driver | Kaylee Countryman, American |
| Age (2026 season) | 15 turning 16 in January 2026 |
| Team & Program | Haas F1 Team backing; racing with ART Grand Prix in a Haas-liveried car |
| Notable 2025 activity | competed in USF Juniors with Exclusive Autosport; four top-10 finishes; F1 Academy Navarra testing |
| Season opener | Shanghai International Circuit, March 13-15, 2026 (F1 Chinese Grand Prix weekend) |
evergreen insights for the long term
countryman’s progression underscores a broader pathway into Formula One’s development ladder, where young talents balance karting roots with carefully staged exposure in feeder series. The collaboration between a flagship F1 team and a racing-school outfit like ART Grand Prix illustrates how early-career opportunities are increasingly structured to cultivate technical aptitude, professionalism, and international experience before stepping into senior categories. For aspiring drivers and fans, Countryman’s trajectory highlights the value of cross-border programs, dedicated junior championships, and on-track testing as essential components of modern motorsport development.
As F1 Academy serves as a proving ground for future grid stars, stakeholders-teams, sponsors, and racing academies-are gradually refining standardized pathways. For readers, watching how 2026 unfolds could offer a clearer view of which drivers gain momentum toward formula One’s premier stages and which circuits provide the most impactful learning experiences for young talents.
What circuits or formats do you believe best accelerate a junior driver’s growth? Do you think a Haas-backed programme like this can redefine entry routes for American talents in international motorsport?
Share your thoughts and stay tuned as we continue monitoring Countryman’s development and the F1 Academy’s evolving lineup.
Kaylee Countryman Joins teh Haas Driver Academy
- age & Nationality: 15‑year‑old American racer, hailing from Austin, Texas.
- Announcement date: 16 December 2025, via Haas F1 TeamS official press release.
- Program Placement: Enrolled in Haas’s newly expanded youth growth pipeline,aimed at nurturing female talent for future Formula 1 seats.
Haas highlighted Countryman’s “exceptional karting record” and “remarkable race‑craft at the junior formula level,” noting that her signing aligns with the team’s diversity and American‑driver strategy for the 2020s.
Early Racing Resume: From Karting to Formula 4
| Year | Series | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Rotax Max Challenge USA (Junior) | 2nd 8 podiums. |
| 2023 | FIA Karting World championship (KF Junior) | Qualified for final race, top‑10 finish. |
| 2024 | USF2000 (limited‑entry) | Debut at Barber Motorsports Park; secured first points finish (8th). |
| 2025 | formula 4 United States (Partial season) | 3 podiums, 1 race win at Road America; fastest lap in 2 events. |
Countryman’s rapid progression through the U.S. Open Wheel ladder has drawn attention from several Formula 1 affiliates, culminating in her partnership with Haas and ART Grand prix for the 2026 F1 Academy campaign.
2026 F1 Academy Season with ART Grand Prix
Team Alignment
- ART Grand Prix: Four‑time F1 Academy team champion, known for developing drivers like Marta García and Jamie Chadwick.
- Car Specification: Dallara F3‑compatible chassis, 270 hp turbo‑charged engine, FIA‑approved safety cell.
- Technical Support: Joint engineering staff from Haas and ART, providing data analysis, simulator sessions, and physical training.
Season Calendar Overview
- Bahrain International Circuit – 2 March
- Circuit de Barcelona‑catalunya – 23 April
- Red Bull Ring – 12 May
- Silverstone Circuit – 9 June
- Circuit Paul Ricard – 21 july
- Spa‑Francorchamps – 4 August
- Monza – 18 September
- Suzuka International Racing Course – 16 October
Countryman will compete in all eight rounds, with a focus on gaining race‑craft on high‑speed circuits and mastering tire management in wet conditions.
Performance Targets
- Qualifying: Aim for consistent top‑10 grid positions, leveraging ART’s data‑driven setup approach.
- Race Pace: Target podium finishes on circuits that favor low‑downforce setups (e.g., Red Bull Ring, Monza).
- Points Accumulation: Secure at least 80 championship points, positioning her as a strong contender for the rookie‑of‑the‑year title.
Impact on American Female Driver Development
- Talent Pipeline Expansion: Haas’s investment proves the viability of a direct route from U.S. karting to European junior formulas.
- Visibility Boost: Countryman’s presence in the F1 Academy will attract media coverage and sponsorship interest for other American girls in motorsport.
- Benchmark for Teams: Sets a precedent for other F1 outfits to establish similar programs targeting young female racers.
Key Benefits for Haas and ART Grand Prix
- Strategic Brand Alignment: Both organizations reinforce their commitment to diversity and youth engagement, resonating with global fans.
- Technical Knowledge Transfer: Haas gains fresh data from ART’s European circuits, while ART benefits from Haas’s Formula 1 telemetry expertise.
- Sponsor Appeal: The partnership opens doors to North‑American brands seeking exposure in both F1 Academy and the broader Formula 1 ecosystem.
Practical Tips for Aspiring Young Drivers (Inspired by Countryman’s Path)
- Build a Strong Karting foundation
- Compete in national and international series to develop race‑craft under varied conditions.
- Seek Early Mentorship
- Align with driver development programs that offer technical coaching and simulator access.
- Focus on Data Literacy
- Learn to interpret telemetry; teams value drivers who can provide actionable feedback.
- Prioritize Physical Conditioning
- Incorporate endurance training and neck‑strength exercises to handle higher G‑forces in formula cars.
- Maintain Academic Balance
- Schools that support flexible schedules can definitely help manage racing commitments without compromising education.
Real‑World Example: Countryman’s 2025 Formula 4 Win at Road America
- Setup Adjustments: Leveraged ART’s aerodynamic mapping to reduce drag on the high‑speed straight.
- Race Strategy: Executed a perfect under‑cut during the first pit window, gaining 1.3 seconds on the leader.
- Outcome: Secured her maiden win, demonstrating the effectiveness of cross‑team engineering collaboration-a blueprint for her 2026 F1 Academy approach.