Cumbrian racing talent talks about her upcoming year in F1 academy

Jessica Edgar became the first driver to be announced for Rodin Carlin’s F1 Academy team. The Cumbrian racer will take part in the seven round series which will enter its inaugural season this year.

Edgar will be joined by two Rodin Carlin teammates in the newly announced F1 Academy, which will be kicking off in Spielberg, Austria on April 28-29 with seven rounds in total. Designed to help accelerate the progress of women racers through the junior single-seater ladder towards Formula 1, just 15 drivers will take part run by five teams also competing in the Formula 3 and Formula 2 Championships.

Jessica, who is cousin of Formula 3 driver, Jonny Edgar, said:

"Getting the news about joining Rodin Carlin for the F1 academy was amazing, I am really excited and looking for to getting the season started."

"I think its really important for women to get recognised in a male dominated sport. I think there are more and more females racing now which is really good to see."

Jessica has been hard at work preparing for the year ahead which involves going to the Rodin Carlin HQ to undergo simulator and gym work. Jessica said testing has been going well and the team have noted big improvements any time they go out. 

Jessica in her 2020 Junior X30 race (Image: Jessica Edgar)

Jessica spoke about her career, she said:

"Obviously every driver wants to go to F1 as a main dream but I think as a realistic aim, I just want to get as far as i can."

"I'm really excited to be going to all new tracks and countries I’ve never been to before."

In a lovely message to her cousin, Jessica said:

"I think my racing idol is my cousin Jonny as I have watched him through his whole career."

Ready to travel the world and visit new race tracks at just 17, Jessica said

"I'm not sure yet which my favourite track will be but I am looking forward to the Austin race."