Academy Preview: Jade set for debut in Shanghai

Our 16-year-old French racer will make her F1 Academy bow this weekend in China

Published

11 MAR 2026

Est. reading time

2 min

Header imagery: F1 Academy

F1 Academy returns this weekend, with the seven-round season kicking off once again at the Shanghai International Circuit.

For Atlassian Williams F1 Team, there’s a new face in the paddock as Jade Jacquet prepares to make her debut in the all-female championship.

The 16-year-old French racer will compete in the No. 95 car with ART Grand Prix this season, with the machine decked out in Williams’ iconic shade of blue.

Jade first began turning heads during the 2024 French Junior Karting Championship, making a strong impression early in her career. Having only started competing in international karting in 2023, she quickly adapted to the higher level of competition before making the transition to single-seaters the following year at just 15 years old.

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Her 2025 campaign in French Formula 4 brought steady progress across the season. Jade secured multiple top-20 finishes, including a P12 result at Circuit de Nogaro and an 11th-place finish in the reverse grid race at Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans.

Another highlight came at Dijon-Prenois Circuit, where she claimed the Female Trophy, recognising her as one of the highest-achieving female drivers in the championship.

Now Jade takes the next step as she joins the grid in F1 Academy for the 2026 season opener.

The race weekend begins with a single practice session on Friday, before Qualifying later that same day. Saturday’s grid will be formed by reversing the top eight qualifiers, while Sunday’s race will start in the standard qualifying order.

To get to know Jade a little better, click here to read when we sat down with her after arriving at Williams.

F1 Academy Shanghai Timings (Displayed in track timezone – CST):

Practice - Friday, 09:10

Qualifying - Friday, 14:05

Sprint Race - Saturday, 13:45

Feature Race - Sunday, 10:40

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