![\"Ciconte](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/XPB_1363646_HiRes_CICONTE.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJoanne Ciconte has reflected on her debut year in F1 Academy. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJoanne Ciconte has reflected on her debut year in F1 Academy. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
The Australian wrapped up her rookie campaign last month in Las Vegas, closing out a milestone year in which she became the youngest driver to contest the all-female series and the only Australian to complete the full season, with compatriot Aiva Anagnostiadis sidelined for the final two rounds by foot surgery.<\/p>\n
Ciconte finished 14th in the standings with eight points, recording four top-10 results, including points-scoring drives in Saudi Arabia, Canada and Singapore.<\/p>\n
She added another 10th place in the opening race at Las Vegas after qualifying 11th, before an early clash with wildcard Payton Westcott cut her final race to just two laps.<\/p>\n
Looking back on the year, Ciconte told Speedcafe she leaves her rookie season proud of the progress she made despite limited preparation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a driver we always hope for more,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I think if I look at the positives, I can take back so much on my first season in F1 Academy. I learned so so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arriving in the championship with only four prior race starts left her on the back foot, but she said competing alongside title-contending team-mate Maya Weug accelerated her development.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing in a team with a title contender helps me develop as a driver,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cExperiencing some of the best and widely known F1 Grands Prix around the world and having that opportunity is surreal.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing only 16, to participate in that, it\u2019s very nervewracking and that\u2019s something I\u2019ve had to overcome and know how to handle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ciconte said every session contributed to her growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery single lap I\u2019ve put down, I\u2019ve learned so much. So again it just adds so much experience under my belt,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately this year I only came to the F1 Academy series with only four races, so that\u2019s been really, really hard for me as a driver to overcome that and just take every opportunity as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the biggest highlights were the championship\u2019s street circuits, which she said offered some of the most memorable moments of her campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think as a driver in street tracks, still something that everyone can experience. I think that was pretty phenomenal to drive on,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cExperiencing a street track, it requires that little notch of more concentration. So having to deal with that at Jeddah, which is the fastest street circuit in the world, that was probably one of my standouts.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added that Singapore also ranked among her favourites for its technical demands, while the atmosphere at Vegas and Zandvoort left a strong impression.<\/p>\n
\u201cA place like Vegas with the atmosphere and Zandvoort with that crazy atmosphere, it\u2019s such a cool experience and I\u2019m really excited to go back there one day and again.\u201d<\/p>\n
With her rookie year complete, attention now shifts to 2026. Ciconte said discussions are ongoing, with several exciting avenues under review.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s so many exciting opportunities out on the table that we\u2019re having a look at,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing\u2019s fully confirmed yet, but anything that I do next year, all my options will be really exciting for me as a driver.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her season concluded as Mercedes junior Doriane Pin sealed the 2025 F1 Academy title over Weug, while Anagnostiadis \u2014 despite missing three rounds \u2014 logged two eighth-place finishes earlier in the year to end the season 17th on five points.<\/p>\n
The Aussie teens blazing a path in F1 Academy<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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