Young racing driver Aiva Anagnostiadis has gotten her season up and running after competing in Shanghai, with it representing the beginning of what looks to be a promising career in Formula One.
The 17-year-old is one of two Australian women competing in the all-female F1 Academy this season, the first time the country has been represented in the series since its establishment in 2023.
She competed in the first round of the 2025 F1 Academy in Shanghai, wherein she finished in eighth on 22 March and then in 13th the day after.
The young racer reflected ahead of the season on being one of the two inaugural Aussies on the grid in the all-female racing category, F1 Academy, stating she wanted to be an example for other young girls.
Anagnostiadis was notably a talented dancer, having competed at national championships as a junior, but she opted to go all-in on racing.
“It was one weekend where it was the club championship … and I had to make qualifying to win the championship…And then I had nationals in Queensland that night. I had to fly over on the red eye in the morning and I made qualifying by two minutes,” she told ABC Sport.
“I think [my parents] sat me down like, alright, you have to pick one now because we can’t keep doing this.”
Anagnostiadis, who is racing for British outfit Hitech Grand Prix, expressed her belief that the sport is one that is being embraced by both sexes.
“I think we’re one of the only countries with a 50-50 male-female split in support here at the Grand Prix,” she said.
“So I think it’s great to see all the girls getting involved and actually following and backing not only boys, but like me and F1 Academy…I’ve had a couple of girls come up [to me]. I was actually a bit starstruck about it.”
She hopes the popularity of the sport and increased visibility on young female drivers such as herself will only further develop interest in it among younger girls.
The Shanghai races represent the first of seven rounds for the 2025 season with Anagnostiadis no doubt looking to continue her improvement as a racer as the year goes on.
