The first female Emirati F3 driver, Amna Al Qubaisi, is gearing up for the 2024 F1 Academy season as she joins the newly formed Red Bull Academy Programme, driving the Visa Cash App RB. The 23-year-old Amna will be accompanied by her sister, Hamda Al Qubaisi, who will drive for Red Bull Racing, and Emely de Heus, driving for Red Bull. The trio will continue to race with MP Motorsport.
Amna Al Qubaisi concluded the 2023 ACADEMY season with two wins, securing a sixth-place finish, whereas Hamda Al Qubaisi, finished with four wins, placed third overall. The dynamic racing duo are poised to carve their own legacy in the world of motorsport, drawing inspiration from their father, Khaled Al Qubaisi, an accomplished racing driver.
The F1 Academy, launched in 2023, comprises 15 drivers representing five teams, each operating three cars. The 2024 F1 Academy season includes seven rounds on three continents, supporting Formula 1 every weekend for the first time. It kicks off in Saudi Arabia in March, followed by Miami, Barcelona, Zandvoort, Marina Bay, and concludes with double-headers in Lusail, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi in December.
Amna Al Qubaisi and her teammates are determined to secure top positions in the F1 Academy, earning points aligned with the Formula 1 point system. The top five drivers in the 2024 season will also receive FIA Super Licence points.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the upcoming F1 Academy season, Amna said, “I am thrilled to once again compete in the F1 Academy with MP Motorsport and, this year, to be part of the newly formed Red Bull team. I am ready for the challenge and am aiming for success while driving the Visa Cash App RB car. The anticipation is building up, and I can’t wait to hit the track, push my limits, and contribute to the team’s pursuit of excellence.
Being part of the F1 Academy, especially with the support of Red Bull, brings a new level of excitement and opportunity. I’m looking forward to every moment, learning from my experiences, and enjoying the camaraderie with my teammates, including my sister Hamda and Emely. Together, we are determined to make this season unforgettable and make a strong mark in the world of motorsport.”
The Visa Cash App RB team, formerly AlphaTauri, unveiled their 2024 VCARB 01 livery in Las Vegas this week. The launch event featured the presence of Amna being the new addition to the Visa Cash App RB team, attended the event alongside Daniel Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda, Laurent Mekies and Peter Bayer.
Amna, who began her karting journey in 2014 at the age of 14, has achieved remarkable success in various championships, progressing to Italian F4 in 2018. She continued to excel, participating in Formula 4 UAE, F3 Asian, and the Formula Regional European Championships.