Natalia Granada completes Prema line up in F1 Academy

Natalia Granada has been confirmed as the final addition to Prema's driver roster for the 2026 F1 Academy championship, with Sephora support. The Spanish racer is set to make both her debut in the all-female series as well her first start in F4 machinery.

Photo credits: F1 Academy Ltd and Parc Fermé

Natalia Granada has been confirmed as the final addition to PREMA Racing’s driver roster for the 2026 F1 Academy championship, with the Spanish racer set to make both her debut in the all-female series and her first competitive season in F4 machinery.

The Catalan driver will compete with support from new series partner Sephora and is preparing to begin her single-seater career at the season opener in Shanghai, China, after progressing through karting and early sportscar experience.

Granada was already on the radar of the championship after participating in the inaugural F1 Academy rookie test in 2025 at Navarra, where she impressed with consistent pace. The Spaniard finished seventh fastest in the morning session and eighth in the afternoon running, securing solid top-ten results across the test.

Born in 2008 near Barcelona, Granada began karting at the age of 11, quickly rising through local and regional Spanish competitions before advancing to national and international events. Her development culminated in appearances in European and World Championship karting competitions.

A significant milestone in her early career came in 2023, when she joined the Iron Dames project and became the first driver selected for the team’s karting development programme. Working under the guidance of Ferrari factory driver Miguel Molina, Granada gained professional support within the globally recognised all-female racing initiative.

In 2024, she broadened her experience by combining continued Formula 4 testing with an initial step into sportscar racing. Granada in fact made her car racing debut in the Ligier European Series at Mugello, driving the Iron Dames-entered Ligier JS2R and collecting valuable mileage as she transitioned from karting to cars.

Her focus has since shifted fully toward single-seaters in preparation for the 2026 season, with F1 Academy representing her first full campaign in formula racing.

At Prema Racing, Granada will join Aston Martin-backed Mathilda Paatz and Mercedes-supported Payton Westcott, completing the three-car line-up for one of the series’ most successful teams. Her entry also continues Spain’s representation in the championship, as she becomes the third Spanish driver to compete in F1 Academy following 2023 champion Marta García and race winner Nerea Martí.

Granada becomes only the second driver to start her first F4 race in F1 Academy, after Chloe Chong in the inaugural season.