RB name Brazilian Rafaela Ferreira as 2025 F1 ACADEMY driver

Rafaela Ferreira has become the third driver announced for the 2025 F1 ACADEMY season, with RB selecting the Brazilian racer to represent them on the grid next year.

Ferreira joins the all-female series after two successful campaigns in the Brazilian F4 Championship. Her debut season in 2023 saw her score one podium at Interlagos during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend.

She currently sits fourth in the series’ standings, scoring two victories and a further five podiums – having already made history as the championship’s first female race winner.

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Prior to that, Ferreira’s karting career saw her become the first woman to score a pole position in the Copa Brasil de Kart in 2022, where she eventually finished fourth in the championship.

"I'm extremely happy to be driving for the Visa Cash App RB Academy Programme in F1 ACADEMY in 2025,” said Ferreira. “This opportunity represents a big step in my career, and is a dream come true to work with a team that has so much talent. I'm determined to give my best and go after great results. It'll be something new for me, but I'm confident that we will achieve a lot together. I'm already preparing and am excited for next year!"

RB Team Principal, Laurent Mekies added: "Everyone at the team is hugely excited to welcome Rafaela to the VCARB family. Rafaela is an exceptional emerging Brazilian talent, and we're pleased to share this global, and empowering, platform to compete, race, and grow together.

“F1 ACADEMY has been a great success this season, the exposure that it's generated for women's motorsport is revolutionary. I hope we can continue to inspire the next generation of female talent in motorsports, and we look forward to seeing Rafaela grow and flourish as a driver. The team would also like to thank Amna [Al Qubaisi] for her commitment across the season, we look forward to watching her progress and wish her the best of luck in the next phase of her career."

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Red Bull Academy Programme Manager, Sarah Harrington said: "We've been impressed by Rafaela's performance this season and are very pleased to welcome her to the team and work with her in F1 ACADEMY in 2025. Rafaela has great talent and potential and has already cemented herself as a race winner in Brazil. I'm looking forward to supporting her development and am excited to see what next season brings."

Visa Brazil Marketing Vice President, Carla Mita said: "We are thrilled to support Rafaela as she joins the Visa Cash App RB Academy Programme for the 2025 F1 ACADEMY season, Rafaela's talent and determination perfectly embody the spirit of our initiatives to empower women in all fields. Her journey and achievements are inspiring, and we are proud to be part of this exciting chapter in her career."

The team’s current driver Amna Al Qubaisi is set to depart F1 ACADEMY at the conclusion of her maximum two-season stint, as per the series’ regulations.