Photo: Haas F1
Kaylee Countryman will race on Formula 1 and IndyCar’s support bills this year, and with the backing of an American F1 team.
Her primary racing programme will be in the Formula 4-spec and all-female F1 Academy championship, which supports F1 at seven grands prix this year. She will race for French outfit ART Grand Prix, and her car will run with the Haas F1 team’s livery.
The American, who turns 16 today, has some limited F4 experience having tested in Europe with Prema and done two rounds of the United Arab Emirates-based Formula Trophy as a Pinnacle Motorsport driver without scoring points.
“I’m so thrilled that I’ve been given this opportunity to represent Haas F1 Team and ART Grand Prix in F1 Academy for 2026,” said Countryman.
“I look forward to taking another step in my career and learning to work in such a professional environment. I’m particularly excited about the various circuits we’ll be visiting around the world and being part of all that F1 Academy represents.”
Ayao Komatsu, who is Haas’s F1 team principal, added that Countryman’s “personality and passion for this sport are contagious, and we want to ensure she has everything she needs to flourish in F1 Academy, whether that be access to our resources and personnel, or simply advice and guidance”.
While there will be support at a driver development level from Haas, Countryman will not become one of its junior drivers.
Last year Countryman mostly competed on home soil in entry-level USF Juniors cars, racing in the YACademy Winter Series and then coming 16th in the USF Juniors championship with a best finish of eighth.
She also did two rounds in USF2000, the IndyCar-supporting next rung of the road to Indy, and in both championships she raced for Exclusive Autosport. In 2026 she will do four USF2000 rounds with the team.
“I can’t wait to get started on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for my USF2000 campaign,” Countrymans said.
“The team was amazing last year, and I’ve learned so much about racecraft and how to be myself as a driver. I’m so excited to be participating in most of the USF events to get more seat time and learn new tracks.”