Haas announces 15-year-old Kaylee Countryman as 2026 F1 Academy driver

The Haas Formula 1 team will back American driver Kaylee Countryman in the 2026 F1 Academy season.

The 15-year-old driver, who will be 16 at the time of the season start, will race with ART Grand Prix in the Haas-liveried car.

“I’m so thrilled that I’ve been given this opportunity to represent Haas F1 Team and ART Grand Prix in the F1 Academy for 2026,” Countryman said. “I look forward to taking another step in my career and learning to work in such a professional environment.

“I’m particularly excited about the various circuits we’ll be visiting around the world and being part of all that F1 Academy represents. I enjoyed a productive test with ART Grand Prix and I’m keen to build on that foundation as we go racing in 2026.”

Countryman began racing three years ago in four-stroke karts before moving to two-stroke karts and international racing in 2023. In 2025, the Arizona native moved to the North American-based USF Juniors series with Exclusive Autosport and secured four top-10 finishes. She also took part in the F1 Academy testing in Navarra.

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Haas F1 team principal Ayao Komatsu added: "We’re delighted to welcome Kaylee Countryman into the team to represent us in F1 Academy from next season.

"Her personality and passion for this sport are contagious, and we want to ensure she has everything she needs to flourish in F1 Academy, whether that be access to our resources and personnel, or simply advice and guidance.

"I believe together, we’ll achieve some exciting things on-track. I’m delighted Kaylee’s joined us, and we look forward to seeing her development as a driver in F1 Academy.”

The 2026 F1 Academy season is set to kick off at the Shanghai International Circuit on 13-15 March during the F1 Chinese Grand Prix weekend.

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