Jade Jacquet is set to represent Atlassian Williams Racing in the F1 Academy next season, as the French driver continues her rapid rise in the world of motorsport.
The 16-year-old will get behind the wheel with ART Grand Prix from 2026, while also joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy in the new year.
Jade certainly has plenty of pedigree, having impressed during the French Junior Karting Championship and in French Formula 4 — but we wanted to find out more about the team’s latest addition.
So we put a handful of questions to the Dijon-Prenois Circuit Female Trophy winner, to get the low-down on what makes her tick…
How do you feel about this opportunity with Atlassian Williams Racing and ART Grand Prix?
This is an amazing opportunity. I'm super happy to be joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy and I will work super hard to race in F1 Academy and maybe win the championship.
It will be hard to win straight away but I am hopeful I can be competitive.
When did you find out you were joining Williams?
I got a phone call from Sven Smeets, Sporting Director at Williams, and Mathieu Zangarelli, Sporting Director at ART Grand Prix, and they told me that I would be joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy.
It was a total surprise – I thought it might be next year that I’d get to F1 Academy so this is super quick.
How do you feel about doing F1 Academy this year – you’ve only just turned 16?
I feel great! I want to race in this championship, I want to win and to prove that I deserve my place.
I’m really looking forward to racing on some of the most legendary circuits in the world, and doing so at the same time as Formula 1.
First day selfie = complete!
Tell us about your career so far – how did you get into racing?
I started karting in 2023 and did five races that year. After that, in 2024, I participated in the French Junior Karting Championship, and thanks to my progress I had the chance to do some sim tests.
Then in September 2024 I drove an F4 car for the first time. That was incredible, and in 2025 I did the French F4 Championship. And now I’ll be doing F1 Academy next year!
How have you found the physical challenge of driving these cars?
I need to do a lot of training. It’s hard on the arms and at the start of the season I found it really challenging – on the neck and under braking too.
It’s fine now, because of the work I’ve been doing with my trainers, but it’s all a part of the process and one I’m ready for.
Tell us what it means to be joining Williams – such an icon of F1.
Williams is just an incredible, historic team. You’ve got Mercedes, Ferrari and Williams are on the same level. I’m so happy, proud and excited to be part of that.
Being here [at the factory], seeing all the cars from over the years, it’s incredible to see what this team has achieved, and what it can hopefully achieve in the future.
Have you got a favourite Williams driver?
Alain Prost – he is a legend in France and was a great driver. I am too young to have watch him race of course, but in French motorsport, we all still look up to his achievements and re-watch some of those legendary on-track moments.
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You’re about to join the most high-profile female motorsport category. How do you feel about potentially being a role model at such a young age?
I want to be the fastest, but of course you’re also a role model because of the media attention on F1 Academy.
It’s an incredible chance to inspire future generations, girls who want to race. But most of all I want to win – if I do that I’ll be a greater role model.
What do you like to do away from the track?
Sports – I have always loved sports. Before karting I did horse riding, breakdancing and judo.
I also like to go to the gym, watch movies, read books and spend time with my family and friends.
What about a favourite food?
That’s a hard one! In northern France we have something called carbonnade flamande (a rich beef and onion stew cooked in Belgian beer) with French fries – that’s very good.
One thing that I’m really looking forward to, away from the racing, is travelling the world with F1 Academy and sampling new cuisines.
Racing drivers are notoriously superstitious. Do you have any rituals?
I always put my right glove on first and I always jump into the car – a few other little things but just things that come naturally.
We’d like to wish Jade all the best in the F1 Academy next season. You can read more of her thoughts on joining the team – and what Sporting Director Sven Smeets had to say about our new arrival – here.
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