Alba Hurup Larsen to represent Ferrari in 2026 F1 Academy season
- RACERS
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Ferrari has confirmed that 16-year-old Danish talent Alba Hurup Larsen will represent the Scuderia in the 2026 F1 Academy season, following her recent induction into the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy. She will also return to British F4, maximising her seat time.
Ferrari has confirmed that 16-year-old Danish talent Alba Hurup Larsen will represent the Scuderia in the 2026 F1 Academy season, following her recent induction into the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy. The announcement represents a major milestone for one of the youngest and fastest-rising drivers on the F1 Academy grid.
Larsen impressed throughout her rookie single-seater campaign in 2025, where she quickly established herself as one of the championship’s best newcomers. Despite limited prior experience, she enjoyed a remarkably consistent season with seven top-five finishes, including a personal best of fourth place in both Shanghai and Las Vegas. She scored points in ten races and concluded her maiden season seventh in the drivers’ standings.
In F1 Academy, Larsen carried out a successful partnership with fashion powerhouse Tommy Hilfiger, serving as a brand ambassador and taking part in a range of media and promotional activities during her debut year.
Alongside her F1 Academy commitments, Larsen completed a dual program in the British F4 Challenge Cup, representing Chris Dittmann Racing. She secured seven class podiums in the Challenge Cup, with an overall best finish of eleventh, ultimately placing fourth in the Challenge Cup standings. The combined programs provided essential mileage during her first full-time season in race cars.
Larsen first rose to global prominence after winning the final edition of the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars programme at the end of 2023, an initiative that previously launched the careers of drivers such as Maya Weug, Doriane Pin, Laura Camps, Antonella Bassani, and Aurelia Nobels. Weug and Nobels both graduated into the Ferrari Driver Academy, making Larsen the latest Rising Stars champion to join the program.
Her racing debut came in the Indian F4 Championship in August 2024 with Speed Demons Delhi. At the Madras International Circuit she scored her first points, and shortly after achieved a top-six finish at the Chennai Street Circuit. She continued her rapid development across Formula Winter Series, British F4 and F1 Academy, consistently running near the sharp end in both qualifying and race in the all-female series.
Now officially confirmed as Ferrari’s 2026 F1 Academy representative, Larsen’s car will be fielded by a yet-to-be-announced partner team. Her 2026 program will be complemented by additional winter preparation in the F4 UAE Championship, as well as a second season in British F4, maximising her seat time ahead of her sophomore F1 Academy campaign.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Larsen shared her excitement at joining motorsport’s most iconic marque:
"Racing for Ferrari in F1 Academy is a dream come true," she said. "They’ve been my favourite team since I was a child and getting to wear red feels surreal and is an incredible honour. I’ve felt their support since FIA Girls on Track and now being part of the most iconic team in motorsport is a true honour. I’m ready to give everything I have for the Scuderia. Bet on red!"
