In a major boost for Saudi motorsport and female representation in racing, Farah Al Yousef will compete as a Wild Card entry in Round 2 of the 2025 F1 ACADEMY series, taking place alongside the FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX from April 18–20 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The announcement was made by the Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC), promoter of the Grand Prix, marking another historic moment in the Kingdom's rapidly growing motorsport scene. Al Yousef becomes the second Saudi woman to compete in the F1 ACADEMY on home soil, following Reema Juffali's appearance at the same event in 2024. AlYousef, 22, is one of Saudi Arabia's rising motorsport stars. She won the Saudi Women's Karting Championship in 2022, achieved a commendable 26th place at the Karting World Finals, and will represent the Kingdom at the FW Nations Cup Finals in Dubai this May. "Racing as a Wild Card entry in the F1 ACADEMY on home soil here in Jeddah is truly a dream come true," said Al Yousef. "Motorsport has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and to line up alongside some of the most talented young drivers in the world is an incredibly proud moment. I hope my participation inspires young girls across Saudi Arabia to believe in themselves and chase their dreams." The F1 ACADEMY, launched in 2023, is a development series for female drivers aged 16–25, providing a dedicated platform for progression in international motorsport. The 2025 calendar features seven rounds, each running as support events to Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends across Asia, Europe, and North America. This year's championship began in Shanghai, with Jeddah set to host Round 2, before the series continues to Miami, Montreal, Zandvoort, Singapore, and Las Vegas in November. The upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix marks the fifth edition of the race in Jeddah, with previous years delivering high-octane action at the world's fastest street circuit on the Red Sea coast. — SG
