Ciconte is one of the newest admissions to the F1 Academy — a female-only racing series aiming to increase accessibility to motorsports by making it more inclusive and diverse.

Joanne Ciconte says her interest in racing came from growing up in a motorsport-loving family. Credit: Pro Racing Motorsport Academy

“To get the news, it is so sudden and sort of unexpected,” she said. “I can’t explain how many emotions came over to me.

“It’s very special as an Aussie to come down and support the other Aussies racing,” she said.

The two Australian teenagers will compete in an international seven-race series starting in China next weekend. The drivers will race Formula 4-level cars.

Motorsport-loving family

“Eventually I got that opportunity and I kept going from there.”

Joanne Ciconte taking part as a coach in the Australian Grand Prix Celebrity Go-Kart Challenge in 2020. Source: Getty / Mackenzie Sweetnam

Ciconte raced for more than five years in national level go-karting before moving into Formula Four, after being one of four finalists chosen from 116 international senior applicants for the 2023 Ferrari Driver Academy’s Girls on Track program.

“And as I went higher in the ranks and travelled more for Motorsport, I was starting to see more and more females.”

How many men and women have competed in a Formula 1 Grand Prix?

“It gives us so much hope and it’s made me more inspired than ever,” she said.

‘It’s something I’ve always dreamed about’

“But I believe that with all the determination that I have and hard work that I put in, it will hopefully play out in the end.”

Joanne Ciconte has her eyes set on becoming Australia’s first female F1 driver. Credit: Pro Racing Motorsport Academy

As for advice for other interested young girls, Ciconte says to “keep your eyes forward”.

“Keep your eyes forward, because that’s exactly what I’m doing, having my eyes forward and seeing where it takes me.”