Swiss racer Tina Hausmann makes the switch from Italian F4 to F1 Academy and will join top team Prema Racing with the support of Aston Martin F1 Team.
Tina Hausmann, 17, has made an impressive debut in single seaters in 2022, securing a podium at debut in her first ever F4 race in Formula Winter Series at Jerez, before making a lasting impression in her Italian F4 and Euro4 Championship campaigns, where she made significant improvements throughout the year, showing potential to run close to the points in over 30 car fields and eventually sealed both Female Trophy titles.
Already a big prospect in karting, Hausmann tackled the world's most competitive championship in her rookie season – and this paid off, as she honed her skills at AKM Motorsport, where she scored her first rookie top 10 at Le Castellet and topped the Female Trophy class on seven occasions, despite an accident at Misano that forced her to the sideline for the whole weekend.
She was back on top of her game at Spa Francorchamps and was then protagonist of a stellar weekend in Euro4 at Monza, where she just missed out on overall points.
Regarded as one of the most exciting female prospects, Hausmann will now make the jump to F1 Academy for the all-female series' second season of competitions – and its first as full-time F1 support series.
Tina will join the ranks of team champion Prema Racing, with support from Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team.
“F1 Academy is an incredible opportunity for me; it’s an amazing series that I’m proud to be a part of", Hausmann commented. "I know I’ll learn so much that will really help me as a driver, including the experience I’ll gain from racing at seven new tracks in front of big crowds."
"It’s going to be a whole new world, but I’m so excited to get started. Representing the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 Team in the championship is a huge honour."
Hausmann will have a special mentor within the team, as ambassador driver Jessica Hawkins – who made history this year as the first woman to have driven contemporary F1 machinery after Susie Wolff – will be in charge of supporting the young Swiss talent in her F1 Academy debut in her new position of team’s Head of Racing for F1 Academy.
"My first day at the AMR Technology Campus showed me just what an incredible team it is", Tina continued. "I am already so comfortable there and can feel everybody’s full support. Having Jessica Hawkins as a mentor is a real benefit, too; she has so much valuable advice to share."
Prema Racing conquered both the drivers and teams titles in 2023, thanks to remarkable performances by inaugural champion Marta Garcia, alongside Bianca Bustamante and Chloe Chong. While Garcia has secured a move to Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine in 2024, Bustamante was the first driver to confirm her 2024 plans, as the new McLaren driver will join ART GP.
“We are extremely delighted to move one step closer to the 2024 season by announcing Tina as a driver for the upcoming series", added Prema's team principal Rene Rosin.
"She showed great promise moving her first steps in Formula 4, and we are convinced that with the support of our team, F1 Academy and the Aston Martin F1 Team, she will make more progress to become a high-profile contender."
"PREMA is a team that every young driver hopes to race for – they're the best at what they do - and I know that they’ll help me develop as I continue in my motorsport career", Hausmann concluded, as she prepares for her first season in the British green colours.