Kareen Kaur makes history as Singapore’s first female F4 driver to reach F1 Academy Rookie Test

Singaporean racer Kareen Kaur has been selected as one of 18 drivers for the 2026 F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test, becoming the first Singaporean to take part in the programme.

The 16-year-old is among a group of promising female drivers chosen for this year’s expanded Rookie Test, which aims to identify and develop the next generation of talent for F1 ACADEMY.

Kaur’s selection comes after an impressive rise through the junior ranks. She became Singapore’s first female Formula 4 driver in 2025 and has continued to compete in regional F4 competition, currently racing as a third driver for Evans GP in the 2026 Southeast Asia Formula 4 Championship.

Her motorsport journey began in karting at the age of nine after she discovered the sport during a family outing. She went on to finish as the top female driver in the 2024 ROK Cup Singapore Championship and has continued to build her experience across karting and single-seater racing.

The 2026 Rookie Test programme has been expanded to include a new training camp, with the selected drivers undertaking physical, cognitive and performance assessments at Loughborough University from August 25 to 27.

They will then head to Spain for the on-track Rookie Test at Circuito de Navarra from September 9 to 11, where they will experience an F1 ACADEMY team environment and get behind the wheel of F1 ACADEMY machinery.

The opportunity could prove to be another important step in Kaur’s development as she bids to progress further up the motorsport ladder. While selection for the Rookie Test does not guarantee a place on the F1 ACADEMY grid, the programme is designed to give emerging drivers an opportunity to showcase their potential and gain valuable experience at the next level.