Ella Lloyd joins F1 Academy grid as Singapore wild card

British F4 podium finisher Ella Lloyd will make her F1 Academy debut as a wild card entry at the Singapore Grand Prix, continuing the series' initiative to showcase emerging female talents.

Photo credits: F1 Academy

After Nina Gademan's remarkable F1 Academy debut, another British F4 rookie is set to make her first appearance in the all-female series: Welsh racer Ella Lloyd will in fact be the wild card for next week's Singapore Grand Prix and will race in the fourth Prema entry.

Lloyd will therefore join Reema Juffali, Courtney Crone and Nina Gademan as this year's wild cards, continuing the program designed to showcase up and coming talents.

The Wild Card initiative was introduced this year to introduce talented young drivers from the region to F1 Academy; "at races where a driver from the local region is not available, the opportunity is made accessible to drivers from other regions who aspire to compete in F1 Academy in the future" – the series statement says.

Lloyd will sport a livery and race suit inspired by the F1 Academy's "Discover Your Drive" global programme, which is aimed to inspire the next generation of female talent and identify upcoming drivers in karting.

“At F1 Academy, our mission is to inspire the next generation of female talent – both on and off the track", said Pilar Harris, F1 Academy Discover Your Drive Lead. "We’re working to bring opportunities to young girls and women around the world and encourage a new generation of girls and women to consider a career in motorsport."

"We’re delighted to welcome Ella as our Wild Card entry for Round 5 and to see her sporting a livery that underlines our commitment to fuelling futures with F1 Academy Discover Your Drive.”

The initiative also launched a Career Discovery Programme, and educational experience hosted in the cities visited by F1 Academy rounds and aimed at tertiary students to help explore roles within the motorsport industry.

Lloyd, 18, made her single seater debut in 2024 contesting select rounds of the Formula Winter Series, before signing for her first full campaign in British Formula 4 with JHR Developments. Her outstanding season to date includes 12 top-ten finishes and three podiums, in one of the most competitive F4 championships in Europe.

Prior to her F4 transition, Lloyd raced in the GT5 class of the Ginetta GT Championship in 2023, alongside an intensive Formula 4 testing program. Racking up an impressive tally of 10 race victories across the 2023 season, Lloyd ended the year as one of the winningest female drivers in 2023.

“I am very excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to be the F1 Academy Wild Card entry in Singapore", Ella said. "My hard work and dedication throughout my rookie season in single seaters have led me to this amazing moment in my career and I am looking forward to putting everything I have learned into practice and making the most of the weekend."

"I will show everyone what I can do behind the wheel while making the most of the experience and hopefully inspiring other young female drivers to push for their dreams. I would like to thank Susie Wolff, F1 Academy and everyone involved for making this possible.”

F1 Academy will host its fifth round of the season on 21-22 September, and will make its first visit to the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore.