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Since its launch in 2023, F1 Academy has sent a strong signal to the entire motorsport community, playing a key role in accelerating the push towards greater inclusivity both inside and beyond the racetrack.

Now entering its fourth season, the championship brings together 18 drivers competing at some of the most iconic Formula 1 venues on the calendar, supported by all ten Formula 1 teams as well as several globally recognized brands. At the heart of the series is the Tatuus T-421 F1A, developed exclusively for the championship and powered by the ATM Abarth 1.4-litre turbo engine.

For Tatuus and Autotecnica Motori, both part of the Korus Group, being involved in F1 Academy means contributing to a shared vision: creating opportunities, supporting the development of emerging talent, and helping make motorsport increasingly accessible to new generations of drivers and future champions.

To explore what competing in F1 Academy truly means, and to understand the role women are playing in shaping the future of the sport, Tatuus spoke with four drivers currently racing in the 2026 season: Alisha Palmowski (Red Bull Racing, Campos Racing), Esmee Kosterman (LEGO, MP Motorsport), Emma Felbermayr (Audi, Rodin Motorsport) and Rachel Robertson (Puma, Hitech).

Their stories reflect different backgrounds, personalities and paths into motorsport, but they also reveal a common thread: the belief that their journey extends beyond competition itself. Through their performances, determination and visibility, they are helping inspire a new generation of young women to see motorsport as a place where they can belong, compete, grow and leave their mark.




1. When you reflect on your role as a driver competing on one of motorsport’s biggest stages, what is it that gives you the greatest sense of pride in what you are doing today?

Alisha - Being a role model gives me a huge sense of pride. Being able to inspire young girls whilst also focusing on developing myself further as a driver and progressing my own career makes me very proud to do what I do.

Rachel - What gives me the greatest sense of pride is knowing how unlikely this journey has been. I started racing much later than most drivers and to now be competing in F1 Academy alongside some of the best upcoming female drivers in the world is something I’m incredibly proud of. It shows what can happen when you commit to something completely and refuse to put limits on what you can achieve.

Esmee - I'm really proud of what we're doing for the next generation. When I started racing, there weren't many female role models in motorsport that I could look up to. Now I have the opportunity to help inspire young girls and show them that this path is possible



2. Every time you get into the car, is there a feeling or a moment you are searching for on track? What would you describe that in your own words?

Alisha - Every time I’m out on track, I’m searching for an almost subconscious rhythm where I feel I can drive the car completely naturally using gut instinct rather than being in my head. That’s where I feel the most confident and able to unlock the most performance.

Rachel - The feeling I’m always searching for is that moment when everything just clicks. When you’re not really thinking anymore, you’re just reacting. The car feels like an extension of you, and every input feels natural. It’s difficult to describe, but it’s almost like time slows down and everything becomes really clear. Those are the moments every driver chases because that’s when you’re operating at your best.

Esmee - It's hard to describe, but it's that feeling when everything comes together and you're completely in the moment. Nothing else is on your mind. Adrenaline, speed, and the enjoyment of driving; it all just feels right. That's the feeling I'm always chasing when I get in the car.

3. Within the context of F1 Academy, what is it about this environment that allows you to fully express yourself as a driver and perform at your best?

Emma - For me, F1 Academy is the perfect place to grow as a driver. Everyone here is pushing for the same goal, so the level is really high, and that motivates me to give my best every single day. At the same time, I feel like I can be myself and show who I am, both on and off track. It’s an environment where I feel challenged, supported, and able to keep improving.

Rachel - F1 Academy pushes you in every area. The level of competition is high, the standards are professional, and every detail matters. I enjoy being in an environment where you’re challenged every day because it forces you to keep improving. It’s also a platform that gives female drivers the opportunity to show what they can do on a global stage, and I feel very privileged to be part of that.

Esmee - F1 Academy has given me a really important opportunity, both on and off track. It gives female drivers a platform to develop, compete at a high level and grow their careers. Being part of that environment pushes me to be better every day and gives me the confidence to express myself as a driver.


 

4. Thinking back to your first experience in a Tatuus car, what do you remember most clearly about the initial feeling, feedback, and overall connection with the car?

Emma - I remember being surprised by how alive the car felt. Everything happened so much faster than what I was used to, and every little input made a difference. After a few laps, I started to trust the car more and more, and that feeling of being completely connected to it was really exciting. It was one of those moments where I thought, “Okay, this is where I want to be.”

Rachel - The thing that stood out most was how responsive it was. Every input had an immediate reaction. It felt more precise and more alive than anything I’d driven.

Esmee - Coming from touring cars, stepping into a Tatuus for the first time was a completely different experience. Everything felt faster, more physical and more precise. I remember being amazed by the grip and the feeling of downforce. But at the same time, it felt surprisingly natural. It was one of those moments where you realise you're living a dream, and honestly, I fell in love with the car straight away.


5. What does it mean to you to be part of a generation bringing more women into the paddock, and what impact do you hope to leave on the future of motorsport?

Emma - It means a lot because I know there are so many young girls watching us and dreaming about being here one day. Growing up, there weren’t always a lot of female role models in motorsport, so being able to help change that is really special. I hope we can show that racing is for everyone and make it feel more normal to see women competing at the highest levels of the sport.

Rachel - It’s something I’m very proud to be part of. Motorsport is becoming more accessible and more visible for women than ever before, and that’s creating opportunities that simply didn’t exist in the past. If I can help show young girls that motorsport is a realistic path for them, then that’s really important to me. I hope my journey encourages people to be ambitious, back themselves and realise that they don’t have to follow a traditional route to succeed.

Esmee - When I started racing, I was often the only girl on the grid. That's already starting to change, and programmes like F1 Academy are helping accelerate that change even more. I hope the impact we leave is that young girls grow up seeing motorsport as a place where they belong. Not because they're girls, but because they're racers.

 

6. To close, each driver is invited to complete the sentence: “I belong here because…”

Emma - I belong here because I’ve worked for it and kept working through the tough moments.

Rachel - I belong here because I’ve never let being late to the sport define how far I can go.

Esmee - I belong here because I've worked very hard to be here and this has been my dream for as long as I can remember.




The stories of these four young drivers demonstrate how F1 Academy is already creating a tangible impact on the development of female talent within modern motorsport. The number of young women entering the world of racing has been growing for several years, thanks to the commitment of everyone working towards a future capable of overcoming barriers, but above all thanks to the girls themselves, who with courage, determination and talent continue to challenge themselves on F1 Academy circuits and compete against their rivals in championships around the world.

A harmonious combination between people and the technical foundation provided by the cars and their engines, which every day contributes to shaping the future of motorsport.

 

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Events, updates and latest news from the Tatuus world.

News
Destination Macau: the T-326 and T-421 set to star in the 2026 FIA World Cups
Destination Macau: the T-326 and T-421 set to star in the 2026 FIA World Cups
The FIA has officially confirmed the adoption of Tatuus single-seaters for the 2026 Formula Regional and Formula 4 World Cups.
Tatuus cars, already competing in national and regional championships around the world, will once again take center stage on the prestigious streets of Macau for the FIA Formula Regional World Cup and FIA Formula 4 World Cup. From 19 to 22 November, 13 teams in Formula Regional and 12 teams in Formula 4 will battle on the iconic Guia Circuit. For the T-326 , this will mark its debut in Macau, following the T-318's appearances in the Formula Regional World Cup in 2024 and 2025. For the T-421 , it will be a welcome return after making its Macau debut in the Formula 4 World Cup in 2023.

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Stories
“Motorsport works like magic, capable of inspiring that uniquely Italian determination to keep believing in something even when the numbers don’t add up.”
“Motorsport works like magic, capable of inspiring that uniquely Italian determination to keep believing in something even when the numbers don’t add up.”
The words of CEO Giovanni Delfino in an interview with la Repubblica.

The CEO of Tatuus, ATM – Autotecnica Motori, and the Korus Group was featured in an interview published today in la Repubblica and written by Irene Saderini. During the conversation, he reflected on some of the most important and defining moments of his career, while also sharing his views on several aspects of the global motorsport industry.
The full interview is available on repubblica.it .

A Personal Journey A central theme of the interview is the CEO’s personal story, which began with his decision to pursue engineering studies and continued through a career marked by bold choices and decisive moments: “I don’t believe in luck; I believe in being able to seize it. When an opportunity comes your way, you have to recognize it. That said, it would be unfair to claim I wasn’t fortunate. I joined the company when I had virtually nothing. The founder allowed me to repay my debt over time, and I only finished paying the last installments two or three years ago.”
Delfino also spoke about his early years at Alfa Corse, where he developed his passion for experimentation and performance engineering: “At heart, I am a track engineer. I worked in the testing departments, where our job was to find that extra half horsepower from a finished product. My first experiences came in Alfa Romeo Touring Cars, with drivers such as Giovanardi, Tarquini and Larini competing against BMW and Mercedes. Sometimes those extra two horsepower were what won you the race.”

Formula 4 and Driver Development Among the key topics discussed was the production of Formula racing cars and engines, today one of the cornerstones of the Korus Group: “Everything starts with studying the regulations, which always leave room for interpretation—and success comes from finding the right one.” Speaking about Formula 4 engines, Delfino explained: “It all starts with a four-cylinder Fiat 500 Abarth unit. It must cost less than €16,500 due to the price cap and last 10,000 kilometres. My objective is to ensure that every engine performs the same.” The reward is seeing young talents progress step by step through the motorsport ladder and ultimately reach the highest levels of the sport: “It was particularly rewarding to see Andrea Kimi Antonelli begin his career in one of our cars.”

The Motorsport Industry The interview also included a broader reflection on the remarkable momentum motorsport is experiencing worldwide: “Motorsport sometimes works like a kind of magic, capable of overcoming marketing logic and keeping alive that uniquely Italian determination to believe in something even when the numbers don’t add up.”
Particularly representative of the Korus Group’s vision was Delfino’s perspective on internal combustion and electric powertrains: “For me, the smell of a winning engine is the smell of gasoline, hard work and sacrifice. A twelve-cylinder engine on track is like a violin—actually, an entire orchestra of violins. Racing is my world, and I find it difficult to see any of that emotion in batteries alone. Hybrid technology, however, is a different story. We are part of the FIA working group on the new regulations, and I find the hybrid approach very compelling.”
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News
Tatuus Celebrates the 500th T-421, the World’s Most Widely Used Formula 4 Car
Tatuus Celebrates the 500th T-421, the World’s Most Widely Used Formula 4 Car
The Lainate-based manufacturer has celebrated the production and delivery of the 500th chassis of the single-seater on which Kimi Antonelli and Arvid Lindblad developed their careers.

Born in 2021, the Tatuus T-421 reached its 500th unit produced and delivered in May 2026, once again confirming its status as one of the most manufactured and successful racing single-seaters worldwide. The milestone was celebrated by the Lainate-based brand together with all its employees and the sister companies of the Korus group, which contribute daily to the T-421 project: ATM–Autotecnica Motori, Breda Racing, and Next Solution Technologies.
Today, the T-421 is the most widely used Formula 4 car in the world, competing across 16 championships spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania. Behind its wheel, some of the most exciting talents in contemporary motorsport have developed, including Kimi Antonelli and Arvid Lindblad , who built the first steps of their single-seater careers in the second-generation Tatuus F4 before progressing all the way to the pinnacle of Formula 1.
“The 500th T-421 is not only a major milestone for Tatuus, but also an important achievement for the entire international motorsport ecosystem,” said Giovanni Delfino, CEO of Tatuus and the Korus Group. “With the introduction of Formula 4 in 2014, the FIA created a new pathway between karting and single-seaters, enabling drivers to arrive better prepared for higher categories. This model has established itself through years of significant growth in motorsport, during which many championships were launched and expanded, now reaching grids of nearly 50 cars per round with the second generation we celebrate today. These are figures that were difficult to imagine at the beginning of this journey, but which now define the everyday reality of many of the companies within the Korus Group.”
“Throughout Tatuus’ history, many of our models have achieved widespread adoption across global championships and have demonstrated unparalleled driver development capabilities,” added Gianfranco De Bellis, President of Tatuus and the Korus group. “The T-421 is writing an important chapter in the history of our brand and, together with the first-generation car, is now approaching 800 units produced. These volumes allow us to aim toward the milestone of 1,000 F4 single-seaters, a figure previously approached by the various Formula Renault models that marked a turning point in our history and in the development path of many drivers.”
As the second generation of Formula 4 single-seaters, the T-421 succeeded the T-014, which from 2014—the year Formula 4 was introduced—through 2021 was produced in just under 300 units. It represented the ideal platform for drivers transitioning from karting to single-seaters, and helped develop talents such as Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, Lance Stroll, Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Franco Colapinto.
The T-421 is just one of many examples of the cooperation that makes the Korus group one of the leading global ecosystems in motorsport engineering. The companies within the Group involved in the celebration have contributed to the project from day one, within a consolidated model of synergies that each year gives rise to new cars, powertrains, and solutions for motorsport.
Specifically, ATM–Autotecnica Motori developed and supplies the Abarth-derived inline four-cylinder engine that powers the car, while Breda Racing is responsible for a large portion of the components—such as the halo and suspension arms—as well as instrumentation required for managing the cars both on track and at HQ. Next Solution Technologies provides a significant part of the car’s electronic and electromechanical systems, in addition to supplying steering wheels and rain lights.
However, the milestone of 500 cars does not represent a finishing point for Tatuus. Production of the current model will continue through 2028 , when FIA regulations foresee the introduction of the third-generation car , on which the brands of the Korus Group are already actively working.

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Event
The First Korus Values Day Hosted at Tatuus HQ
The First Korus Values Day Hosted at Tatuus HQ
For the first time, representatives from across the Korus companies came together for a day dedicated to the Group’s shared values.
A day of networking and shared culture marked the first true moment of connection and interaction among employees from all Korus companies . The Korus Values Day took place on Tuesday, March 3, at the Tatuus HQ.
More than 60 employees attended, representing Tatuus, ATM, Breda Racing, YCOM, Next Solution Technologies, Birelart, Kart Republic and IAME . The event offered an opportunity to connect , exchange perspectives and engage in a series of activities opened by an introductory speech from Korus CEO Giovanni Delfino . In his address, Delfino reflected on the origins and development of the Group , while highlighting the deeper meaning of its core values , Passion , Team Spirit and Excellence , which make “Korus companies a tangible demonstration of how strong and influential Italy remains within the global motorsport landscape . ”
Among the distinctive characteristics of the Group, the CEO underlined its customer-centric approach:“A shared trait across all our companies, a true added value and winning factor, reflected in our practical ability to solve problems with openness and a spirit of service, both toward our end customers and toward our colleagues .” He also emphasised the Group’s “unique capability to create projects from scratch, transforming a blank sheet of paper into a finished product through coordinated, collective efforts across multiple companies .”
Another key pillar of the Korus culture is its focus on employee well-being :
“We place great importance on ensuring that every talent can thrive in the best possible environment and with the best tools, while also nurturing the values and personal relationships outside professional life that contribute to happiness and positively influence our approach to work. ”
Throughout the day, employees from the eight companies took part in workshops and discussion sessions alongside Group management, exploring the practical meaning of Korus’ three core values and reflecting on how they permeate daily operations across different business areas and roles, all equally represented during the event.
The Tatuus HQ showroom provided the ideal setting for a business lunch, with tables arranged among the Group’s cars and products. The focus then shifted to karting, a sector that, from 2025 onward, uniquely characterises the Korus Group. An in-depth session explored the distinctive features of the karting world and the “Korus Kart ” companies, before the day concluded with a special hands-on experience aboard Birel karts.
The first edition of the Korus Values Day once again demonstrated the strong team spirit that defines the Korus Group , as well as the uniqueness of eight elite Italian motorsport companies united by a shared vision and passion, a commitment that takes them to racetracks around the world every single day .

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