Emma Felbermayr joins Rodin Motorsport in Sauber entry for 2025 F1 Academy

Austrian racer Emma Felbermayr will debut in single-seaters with Rodin Motorsport in 2025, competing in F1 Academy as the KICK Sauber F1 Team-supported driver while also undertaking dual programs in Spanish F4.

Photo credits: Rodin Motorsport

Austrian 18-year-old racer Emma Felbermayr is set to become the next KICK Sauber F1 team-supported entry in F1 Academy, as she joins Rodin Motorsport for her single seaters debut in 2025.

Alongside her F1 Academy campaign, Felbermayr is set to take on a dual program in Spanish Formula 4, as well as in Formula Winter Series as preparation - with Rodin Motorsport.

“I’m proud and thrilled to be joining KICK Sauber F1 Team for the 2025 F1 Academy season", Felbermayr said. "This is an incredible opportunity to take the next step in my racing career and to challenge myself at this exciting level."

"I’m looking forward to representing the team, growing as a driver, and making the most of the visibility and platform F1 Academy offers. I can’t wait to get started and see what we can achieve together!"

The Austrian comes from a well established family in motorsport, with both her father and grandfather having competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Emma started her racing career aged 7, entering the Micro class. At 13 she competed in her first international race, in the 2021 ADAC Ladies Cup.

She then moved to the Senior class in 2022, racing in a multi-program in the Germna Championship, WSK as well as World Championship. While 2023 was marred by a rib injury, she returned to the highest levels of karting in 2024, this time in the KZ category for shifter karts. She contested some of the world's top karting competitions in 2024, including WSK, World Cup and European Championship.

Felbermayr now becomes the first karting driver to progress directing from karting to F1 Academy after Chloe Chong in the 2023 inaugural season.

The Austrian will collect valuable track time in her rookie season, starting from Formula Winter Series before making her F1 Academy debut in China as the series kicks off at Shanghai on 22-23 March.

“We are delighted to welcome Emma to the team, as she prepares to make her F1 Academy debut in 2025 in our colours", said Mattia Binotto CO & CTO at Sauber Motorsport. "Emma is young, but has already shown her potential, and we are looking forward to seeing her represent us on the international scene from next year."

"We are also thrilled to be partnering with Rodin Motorsport for our F1 Academy operations, counting on their decades-long experience with junior drivers in several series, and having most recently clinched the 2024 F1 Academy title. This marks the beginning of an exciting journey, and we can’t wait to see what we can achieve together."