Nicole Havrda will be racing in American Express colours in 2025. The F1 Academy Official Partner have announced her as their chosen driver for the upcoming season.
Havrda Becomes the Fourteenth 2025 F1 Academy Entrant
With a growing career in motorsport, the 19-year-old Canadian will debut in the all-female championship in March. She will drive the #2 American Express car for Hitech Grand Prix.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
Nicole Havrda is joining the 2025 F1 Academy grid with @AmericanExpress, racing with @HitechGP TGR!
Entering her fourth year in single-seater racing, Nicole is set to take on this new challenge in her rookie F1 Academy season.
We can’t wait to see Nicole on… pic.twitter.com/4CFahYDWKp
— F1 Academy (@f1academy) February 24, 2025
Rising Through the Ranks
Nicole Havrda’s motorsport journey began in 2019 when she took to the karting scene in Canada.
Early success followed, with first place in the Calgary Shootout and an impressive showing in the Rotax Max Finals.
Determined to progress, she transitioned to single-seater racing in 2022. Here she made an immediate impact.
Competing in the Indian Racing League Championship, she secured two top-five finishes, proving her potential in the highly competitive world of open-wheel racing.
The following year marked a breakthrough. Havrda made history by becoming the first female Formula Pro USA Champion, an achievement complemented by championship victories in both SFR FA2 and the Formula Pro USA Winter Series.
Her consistent performance and relentless determination to succeed made her a driver to watch.
Formula Regional Americas
In 2024, Nicole Havrda stepped up to the Formula Regional Americas Championship.
Despite being a rookie, she delivered throughout the season, finishing sixth overall.
Her campaign included four podium finishes, demonstrating her ability to adapt quickly to new machinery and competition.
She also took on endurance racing, competing in two events behind an Audi R8 GT4. This further increased her experience in different racing disciplines.
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A New Challenge in F1 Academy
Now, the 19-year-old is set to take on the F1 Academy grid, embarking on another rookie season.
A member of the Hitech Grand Prix team, she will represent American Express in their signature blue and white livery.
This just in! We’re proud to welcome @nicolehavrda to the @f1academy grid as our new driver for the 2025 season! Looking forward to an exciting year! 🏎️ pic.twitter.com/lsmPYelHKE
— American Express (@AmericanExpress) February 24, 2025
Her car will also feature branding from the company’s Shop Small initiative, which highlights and supports local businesses throughout the championship.
Speaking about the opportunity, Havrda expressed her excitement:
“I’m honoured to partner with American Express for my F1 Academy debut this upcoming season, especially at the F1 Montreal Grand Prix in June. Their support fuels my drive to compete at the highest level, and I’m thrilled to represent a brand that champions performance, resilience, and ambition, both on and off the track.”
American Express’s Continued Commitment to F1 Academy
American Express remains dedicated to supporting emerging talent in motorsport. Their partnership with Nicole Havrda aligns with their ongoing investment in F1 Academy.
In 2024 they backed Briton Jess Edgar, who departed the series after her two-year run ended in Abu Dhabi.
Alongside showcasing their brand on the track, they will continue to promote their Shop Small initiative throughout the seven-round season. Their custom livery will feature the American Express and Shop Small branding, alongside the logo of a local small business, reinforcing their commitment to community engagement.
With Havrda at the wheel, American Express has chosen a driver with immense potential.
Her journey so far has been impressive, and all eyes will be on her as she takes her first steps in F1 Academy. If her past performances are anything to go by, she is more than ready for the challenge ahead.
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The Upcoming Season
The 2025 F1 Academy season begins in China in March. We then head to Saudi Arabia, Miami, Canada, the Netherlands, and Singapore. The season concludes in Las Vegas in November.
Nicole Havrda joins Chloe Chambers (Red Bull Ford), Ella Lloyd (McLaren), Rafaela Ferreira (RB), Courtney Crone (Haas), Alba Hurup Larsen (Tommy Hilfiger), Nina Gademan (Alpine), Lia Block (Williams), Alisha Palmowski (Red Bull), Emma Felbermayr (Kick Sauber), Aurelia Nobels (Puma), Maya Weug (Ferrari), and Tina Hausmann (Aston Martin) in what will be an exciting season. Four other drivers still need confirmation.
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Main Photo
IMAGO / Panoramic by PsnewZ
Recording Date: 23.06.2024
