Environment of the circuit. May 6, 2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Stage 5, Miami Grand Prix, Miami, Florida, USA, Qualifying Day.
The F1 Academy announced that American driver Courtney Crones will be the guest participant in Miami for the second stage of the second season of the series.
This weekend, Crones will be returning to single-seater cars for the first time in four years and will be driving the fourth car for the Prema Racing team.
Through a partnership with American retailer QVC, Crones will be wearing a unique QVC paint and suit at the Miami International Autodrome.
Two weeks ago, she participated in the mid-season test of the F1 Academy in Zandvoort, where she prepared to drive the championship-winning team’s car.
Starting her karting career in California at the age of three, Crones was inspired by her father’s participation in an old racing car team.
With experience in racing various vehicles, including speed motorcycles, LMP3 prototypes, and junior formula cars, the 23-year-old driver has achieved five top-six results in the LMP3 category since August 2023.
We present your Miami guest participant! ???????? American driver Courtney Crone will be joining the grid for the second stage of the F1 Academy season this weekend. Courtney will be partnering with shopping channel QVC, driving their branded paint. We can’t wait to have… pic.twitter.com/xh23FlGeDM
Crones stated: “I believe the opportunity to participate as a guest in the F1 Academy is huge, especially in America. There may be a stigma that it is very difficult for American girls or girls from outside Europe in general to enter a series like this.”
“The support I have received so far from the F1 Academy and the PREMA Racing team is very positive for me, and I want to share it with girls who may not be from Europe. If they want to come here and race, this series is very accessible. It is an incredible opportunity to grow the sport and this series.”
She will be the second guest participant of the 2024 season of the F1 Academy, following Saudi driver Reema Juffali, who secured the first spot of the season in Jeddah.
The exclusively female series has evolved since its successful inaugural season, and its guest participant initiative offers young drivers the opportunity to compete on the world stage.
Susie Wolff, Executive Director of the F1 Academy, said: “It can be challenging for young girls from outside Europe to know how to enter international series like this, and the support I have received from the F1 Academy and the PREMA Racing team has been incredibly positive.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to QVC for their support of the guest participant initiative here in Miami. I believe this is an amazing opportunity to grow both this series and the sport.”
Crones will make her first appearance at the F1 Academy during FP1 on Friday at the Miami International Autodrome.
