American Talent Payton Westcott to Represent Team in 2026 F1 Academy

Payton said: “I’m excited to join the Mercedes family for the 2026 F1 Academy season. They are an incredible team and one that is driven by passion, determination, and a constant pursuit of excellence.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to work with such a talented group of people that are commitment to developing young talent.”

“I’m looking forward to learning new tracks throughout the season and continuing to grow my skill set both on and off the circuit. Every race weekend will be a chance to push my limits, refine my driving, and build consistency.

“I’m motivated to make the most of this journey and take the next big step in my career.”

Gwen Lagrue, Team Driver Development Advisor, commented: “We’re very pleased to welcome Payton Westcott to the Mercedes family for the 2026 F1 Academy season.

“She steps into big shoes by succeeding Doriane, who set a very high benchmark within our programme. We know Payton is a rookie, and we approach the season with realistic ambitions, but this is a challenge she understands and fully embraces.

“At just 16 years old, Payton has already demonstrated both maturity and strong performance. Her results in the 2025 Italian F4 and Euro 4 championships, as well as her recent performances in the UAE Formula 4 series, underline not only her speed but also her ability to adapt quickly to highly competitive environments.”

“The 2026 season will be intense for Payton. Alongside F1 Academy, she will continue racing in Italian F4 to further develop her race craft, technical understanding, and overall experience.

“We believe this dual programme will accelerate her progression and provide a solid foundation for her long-term ambitions in single-seater racing. We look forward to supporting her throughout this important next stage of her journey with us.”

Payton was born in 2009, in California, and quickly made her mark in motorsport. She began karting at age six and entered competitive racing when she was 12, earning notable results in the United States Pro Kart Series, California Pro Kart Challenge, and finishing third overall in the Challenge of the Americas.

Her early success led to participation in the Champions of the Future Academy Program and an F1 Academy ‘Discover Your Drive’ scholarship in 2024, which opened doors to international karting across Europe.

In 2025, Payton graduated to single-seaters, competing in the Formula Winter Series, Italian F4 Championship, and E4 Championship where she scored several podiums.

She impressed with her consistency, and a Female Trophy win in the Formula Winter Series. Payton was also the first and only female to stand at the top in the UAE Trophy series last year.

Her rapid progress earned her a Wild Card entry in the F1 Academy season finale at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2025, where she scored points with a sixth-place finish in Race 1 and showcased her potential among more experienced drivers.

She will work closely with Doriane Pin, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Development Driver, and last year’s F1 Academy champion.

Pin said: "Payton has the motivation and the mindset to make the most of this opportunity with Mercedes in F1 Academy.

“She has shown so far that she is a great up-and-coming talent with lots of room to continuing progressing. We're all excited to see how she will do this year.”

"Personally, I am also really happy to support Payton throughout the season as she continues to develop in her young racing career.

“As last year's champion and as Development Driver for the team, I am looking forward to passing on my knowledge and experience that I learnt to her, being able to support and give her guidance, and being present trackside across the year.”

The 2026 F1 Academy season gets underway at the Chinese Grand Prix (March 13-15). The series will once again support F1 at seven different venues, with the championship being played out across 14 races.