Sixteen-year-old American Payton Westcott has been announced as the F1 ACADEMY Wild Card entry for the series’ grand finale at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Westcott’s entry is supported by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (Visit Las Vegas), the official destination marketing organisation of Las Vegas, and demonstrates the brand’s dedication to creating unforgettable experiences and amplifying the city’s presence in international sporting events.
The event will see Westcott take to the track in a striking Las Vegas-themed livery and race suit, celebrating the city’s vibrant energy and unrivalled status as a global sports and entertainment capital, as F1 ACADEMY becomes the first single-seater support series to race on the Las Vegas Strip.
A rising American talent, in 2024 Westcott was selected for the Champions of the Future Academy Program, with selected participants supported by F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE, and achieved success in the OK-N Senior category.
Since then, the American has delivered impressive performances in both the Formula Winter Series and Italian F4, with numerous wins and podiums, culminating in her selection for the F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test.
Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 ACADEMY, said: “Finishing our third season in Las Vegas will be an unforgettable moment for F1 ACADEMY.
“With Visit Las Vegas supporting the Wild Card entry, we will celebrate the iconic spirit of the sports and entertainment capital of the world while giving a young American driver who has risen through the F1 ACADEMY pipeline, the chance to race with us on what is now regarded as one of the most exciting race weekends in F1.
“We cannot wait to end the season and crown our third F1 ACADEMY champion under the dazzling lights of the Las Vegas strip.”
Kate Wik, Chief Marketing Officer of Visit Las Vegas, added: “We’re honoured to support Payton Westcott as the Las Vegas-sponsored Wild Card driver for the F1 ACADEMY season finale and to have this milestone moment unfold in Las Vegas.
“The energy and ambition of F1 ACADEMY mirror the spirit of our city: bold, innovative, and unstoppable. Las Vegas has truly become the ultimate stage for global sporting excellence, and we’re proud to help champion the next generation of talent.”
Speaking about being the final 2025 Wild Card Entry, Westcott said: “I’m so proud to be racing as the F1 ACADEMY Wild Card driver in Las Vegas, especially as an American driver. It’s incredibly special to be part of this moment on home turf.
“I’m hugely grateful to F1 ACADEMY and Visit Las Vegas for this opportunity. To be racing on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, under the lights, is a dream come true.”
