Written by Sophie Harvey and Vyas Ponnuri
Welcome to Feeder Series Recap, your weekly series bringing you the best of driver announcements from the world of Formula 2, Formula 3, as well as F1 Academy. This week's recap delves into a flurry of F1 Academy announcements, while another Formula 2 racer too confirmed his continuity in the series. Sophie and Vyas take you through the news for the week.....
Emma Felbermayr graduates to single-seaters with the backing of KICK Sauber
Joining Rodin Motorsport’s F1 Academy lineup, Emma Felbermayr will make the switch from karts to cars in 2025.
Having began karting at just seven years old, Felbermayr has spent 2024 competing in WSK-karting and the shifter World and European Championships. In preparation for her F1 Academy campaign, the 17-year-old will also compete in Formula Winter Series and the Spanish F4 Championship with Rodin Motorsport.
Speaking out on the news, the Austrian racer said: “I’m looking forward to representing the team, growing as a driver, and making the most of the visibility and platform F1 ACADEMY offers. I can’t wait to get started and see what we can achieve together!"
Mattia Binotto, Sauber Motorsport, added: “We are delighted to welcome Emma to the team, as she prepares to make her F1 ACADEMY debut in 2025 in our colours. Emma is young, but has already shown her potential, and we are looking forward to seeing her represent us on the international scene from next year.”
Alisha Palmowski to join the F1 Academy grid with Red Bull Racing
Driving for Campos Racing alongside Chloe Chambers and Rafaela Ferreira, Alisha Palmowski will return to the F1 Academy series after an incredible wildcard performance in Qatar. Here, she scored points on debut after qualifying P6 and P4.
The Brit began her racing career in 2018, before achieving Vice Champion status in the Daniel Ricciardo Karting Series in the years that followed. Having graduated to cars, Palmowski finished P5 in Ginetta Junior with 10 podium finishes.
She made her single-seater debut just this year, contesting in a season of GB4. Here, she stunned onlookers by taking three wins and eleven podiums to become Vice Champion.
In response to the announcement, Palmowski said: “I am incredibly excited and honoured to be joining the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Programme in F1 ACADEMY for 2025. Oracle Red Bull Racing is one of the best teams on the grid, and to see the talent they have brought through the doors and to get to be a part of that next generation is something that I could never have imagined.”
“I have already been working in the sim and with the Team to get a jumpstart on next year and have full focus on performing and delivering results.”
Doriane Pin sticks with Mercedes and PREMA Racing for 2025
Ready to contest in her second F1 Academy campaign, Doriane Pin will continue her partnership with both Mercedes and PREMA Racing into 2025.
Pin has scored three victories and five podiums on her F1 Academy journey so far, earning herself Vice Champion status. With this extra experience under her belt, there’s no doubt that the Parisian intends to clinch the title next season.
Alongside F1 Academy, she will also compete in FRECA and select FRMEC rounds over winter.
In response to the news, Pin said: “I am excited to continue this journey together with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team and Iron Dames next year.”
“After becoming Vice Champion in F1 ACADEMY in my maiden season, I am extremely motivated to go for the Drivers’ title in 2025. I will be pushing myself hard to improve over the winter and hopefully can enjoy an even stronger season next year.”
Joshua Dürksen stays with AIX Racing in Formula 2 for 2025
Ahead of the 2024 Formula 2 season, two drivers joined Formula 2 after their seasons in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) in 2023.
One of these names included the high-profile Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who won the 2023 FRECA championship, bypassing Formula 3 in order to take part in Formula 2 in 2024.
However, he wasn't the only one stepping up from the series; further down, PHM Racing (now AIX Racing) signed Paraguayan racer Joshua Dürksen alongside Taylor Barnard for the 2024 season.
While many were unsure of Dürksen's potential, there's no doubt the AIX racer proved to be the surprise of the season.
Coming off 16th and 19th in the standings in two FRECA campaigns, the AIX racer wasn't quick from the outset, failing to score in the first three weekends of 2024.
However, his fortunes took a turn at Imola. Dürksen qualified a season-best fifth, before capitalising on PREMA Racing's misfortunes to take a maiden podium for the team, and become the first Paraguayan racer to stand on the podium.
Further points followed at the Red Bull Ring, courtesy of Dürksen's impressive front row qualifying performance over the weekend.
However, the Paraguayan's form improved rapidly post the summer break. Dürksen grabbed third in the Monza sprint, before taking his first Formula 2 win in the Baku sprint from seventh on the grid in a chaotic race.
He would also go on to win the final feature race in Abu Dhabi, his final tally of 87 points placing him tenth in the standings.
“I am really excited and happy to announce that I will continue one more year with AIX Racing," Dürksen spoke on his new deal for 2025.
"We had a great season this year, having four podiums and two wins. And of course, I hope that next year we can replicate a lot more of this success. The progress of the year has been incredible. And I am just extremely happy that you can see me with these colours again next year. “
There's no doubt Dürksen will be watched even more in 2025, as he looks to sharpen his skills and continue winning races into his sophomore campaign with AIX Racing.
Comments