Nicole Havrda, a promising young driver from Comox Valley, British Columbia, has officially signed on with American Express for the 2025 F1 Academy season. At 19 years old, Havrda's racing career, which began in karting competitions back in Canada,

Rising star Nicole Havrda has joined the F1 Academy grid for the 2025 season and will drive for Hitech Grand Prix with a sponsorship from American Express. The 19-year-old Canadian driver became the first woman to win the Formula Pro USA Western Championship during the 2023 season,

The 19-year-old Canadian driver will wear the company’s signature blue and silver colorways and its Shop Small logos during the seven races this year.

Havrda says she believes a chance to race against other women provides the best path toward achieving her F1 dream

Nicole Havrda is doing both. The 19-year-old rising star from Comox Valley, British Columbia has taken a bold step into the elite world of motorsports by joining the all-female F1 Academy, an innovative series designed to shatter longstanding barriers in a field historically dominated by men and develop young female talent for higher levels of motorsport.