F1 Academy announced American driver Courtney Crones as the Miami Wildcard entry ahead of Round 2 of the series’ sophomore season.
The American driver will make her return to single-seater cars for the first time in four years this weekend, driving the fourth Prema Racing car.
In a deal with American retailer QVC, Crone will sport a unique QVC livery and race suit at the Miami International Autodrome this weekend.
She took part in the F1 Academy in-season test two weeks ago in Zandvoort, preparing to operate the reigning Championship-winning team car.
The 23-year-old driver began karting in California at three years old, drawing inspiration from her father operating a vintage race car team.
Crone has experience racing a range of vehicles from speedway motorcycles, to LMP3 prototypes, and junior Formula cars.
Experiencing success in the IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge, the Californian has secured five top-six finishes in the LMP3 category since August 2023.
Crone said: “I think it’s a huge opportunity that F1 ACADEMY is giving with the Wild Card, especially in America. I know there’s a bit of a stigma — it might seem very difficult for American girls, or girls not from Europe in general, on how to enter a series like this.
“The support that I’ve been given from F1 ACADEMY and PREMA Racing so far is a big positive for me that I need to share with girls that are maybe not just from Europe. It’s a very accessible series if they want to come over here and race. It’s an amazing opportunity to really grow this sport and grow this series.”
She will be the second Wildcard Entrant of the 2024 F1 Academy season after Saudi driver Reema Juffali took the first spot of the season in Jeddah.
The all-female series has developed since its successful first season, with its Wildcard initiative offering young female racers to drive on the world stage.
F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff said: “It can be difficult for young girls from outside Europe to know how to get into international series like this, and the support that I’ve been given by F1 ACADEMY, and the PREMA Racing team, has been hugely positive for me.
“I’d also like to say thank you to QVC for their support of the Wild Card initiative here in Miami. I think this is an amazing opportunity to grow both this series and the sport.”
Crone will make her first F1 Academy appearance in FP1 on Friday at the Miami International Autodrome.
