Celebrating both local wins and the strength of a determined individual!
In late-February, Nicole Havrda, a 19-year-old from Comox, BC, secured a spot in the prestigious F1 Academy series—the next step towards her F1 goal.
The season kicks off this week in Shanghai from March 21st to 23rd, and will feature a total of 14 races in seven cities.
The F1 Academy was launched by Formula 1 in 2023, aiming to help and support female drivers as they develop their skillset on the track.
This academy is considered to be the top women’s circuit, and drivers must be aged 16 to 25-years-old. Drivers can only compete for two seasons in the single-seater Formula 4 championship.
“The biggest thing I expect from the F1 Academy is being shown at such a high level and to be able to show other girls that it is possible,” Havrda said in an interview with Victoria Buzz.
“I am also expecting a bunch of media presence, which I am so excited for because the marketing side is huge and the Academy will really help put my name out there.”
In a previous Sportsnet article, Havrda has mentioned how difficult it can be to land sponsorship given the amount of racers and the fierce competition to stand out amongst the media.
She details the juxtaposition, as some of her peers are coming in with massive marketing budgets, but that’s not really the reality for her and her family. It’s something they discuss together, but don’t dwell on.
For the duration of F1 Academy, Havrda will be proudly repping American Express colours, and also expressed interest in landing a sponsorship with Lululemon at some point.
“My dream sponsor to land has always been [them], especially since they are Canadian and sponsor the Canadian Olympic team.”
Havrda’s passion for racing began when she was only 10-years-old, after a family trip to the Austrian Grand Prix in 2018.
She began taking driving courses at Saratoga Speedway on Vancouver Island, and by 15-years-old, she was gaining attention.
Havrda gushed about her love for the sport, saying that the feeling she gets from it is unmatched by anything she’s tried previously.
“The first moment I got into a go kart, I was in shock. I was so happy and I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my blood—which I never had when I was swimming competitively,” she said.
“The adrenaline does everything for me. That is what drives me and I love it.”
When asked how she responds to doubters, she confidently said she doesn’t pay attention.
“I believe in myself and I have the right supports [by] my side, and that is all that matters. My parents are my number one supporters that help me through all my stress and struggles.”
With hopes of making an impact at the F1 Academy, she also hopes to inspire other young girls to get on the track.
“You can do it. Just believe in yourself and follow your goals—we all believe in you.”
If you wish to follow Havrda’s journey, you can do so via her website. Her most recent update includes exploring Shanghai and preparing for her big debut in the series.
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