Jess Edgar Talks F1 Academy, Racing Legacy, and the Future of Women in Motorsports

For young drivers trying to rise through the ranks, the path to success is rarely a simple journey up the motorsport ladder. In the case of Jess Edgar, a name you may know from watching F1 Academy, her story is a real-world example of what it takes to make it in an increasingly competitive and costly racing world.

Jess hails from a racing family in the UK, where motorsport is more than just a passion it’s a tradition. Her dad and uncle both raced, and her cousin, Jonny Edgar, has made a name for himself in FIA F3. But it was Jonny, closest to Jess in age, who lit the initial spark. “Because Jonny is close to me in age, I always looked up to him,” Jess explains. “From starting at 4 years old, I always wanted to be like him.” Her early racing years were defined by karting and a dream to follow that same trajectory toward the upper levels of single-seater racing, a dream she pursues with grit and focus.

That dream led her to the F1 Academy, an all-female series launched by Formula 1 in 2023 to help bridge the gap between karting and higher levels of car racing for women. Jess competed in the inaugural season and returned for a second year, gaining valuable experience racing on some of the world’s biggest stages. “F1 Academy was a huge point in my career,” she says. “Getting to race on the global stage with the other girls was an amazing experience that I won’t forget.” But Jess also notes that she was often on the back foot compared to some of her peers. “A lot of the other girls competed in other championships alongside F1 Academy or did a winter series, whereas I only did the F1 Academy. I would say I was always the slightly less experienced driver in my two years. I really enjoyed my time, and I think I learned massive amounts.”

That insight speaks volumes about the current debate around how best to develop women racing drivers. When asked whether she thinks all-female series like F1 Academy and W Series are the right approach, or if a scholarship system or fund that allows women to race in any series they choose would be better, Jess gave an answer rooted in the reality most drivers face: “To be honest, I don’t have an answer for this question. I think just any track time is a good way to develop.” And she’s absolutely right. While structure and visibility matter, the currency of progress in motorsport is time in the seat. So there are pros and cons to both approaches.

This conversation has become especially relevant as the sport works to address gender diversity and equal opportunity. While the F1 Academy has provided unprecedented exposure for women in racing with races on Formula 1 weekends, increased media coverage, and support from F1 teams it still operates within a larger system that favors those who can afford more track time. Jess’s candid reflections point out the hard truth: development opportunities are not distributed evenly, even within developmental series.

That lack of additional mileage isn’t about ambition it’s about budget. And in 2025, Jess is facing that reality head-on. “My goal was always F1, but this year I have had to take a step back and be more realistic,” she admits. “I am currently taking a year out of car racing while I find the budget to go again for 2026. My aim would be just to be paid to race.” Her honesty reflects a truth often overlooked: while talent matters, racing at any high level requires immense financial backing. Without sponsorship or team funding, even the most talented drivers can find themselves parked on the sidelines.

Still, Jess isn’t stepping away entirely. She’s is racing KZ2 karts one of the most physically demanding categories of karting and is also looking to complete tests in GT cars to broaden her experience. “My 2025 plans are to try and do some car testing, in GTs, and I am racing KZ2 this year to help keep sharp,” she says. This adaptability is vital, especially as she explores her future across multiple disciplines. Her long-term goals have shifted slightly from her childhood F1 dream, but now her focus is on securing paid drives, whether in GT, endurance racing, or something entirely new.

On the subject of new frontiers, Jess hasn’t ruled out switching to American-style oval racing. “I am not sure if I would make the switch to NASCAR,” she says thoughtfully. “It depends on opportunities. It would be cool to have a go on an oval.” Her openness to various series shows her versatility a mindset becoming more necessary as drivers seek sustainability in their careers.

When asked who she models herself after on or off the track, Jess had a simple answer: no one. “I would say I am just myself on and off track. I don’t really try to be like anyone else.” It’s a response that captures her quiet determination and refusal to play into racing clichés. She doesn’t have a favorite driver, either she just likes watching her brother and cousins compete. Motorsport for her is still very much a family affair, even as she works toward building her own distinct legacy.

There’s a humility to Jess that stands out in today’s high-gloss racing environment. When asked what misconceptions fans might have about her, she admits, “I am not sure what misconceptions fans might have about me, to be honest.” And when imagining a world where she wasn’t a race car driver, she’d still find a way to be in the motorsport world. “If I wasn’t a driver, the career path I would follow would be to still be involved in motorsport somehow.”

When we asked her for a bucket list of tracks she would want to race at she named some of racing’s most prestigious venues. “I would love to race at Monaco, Le Mans, and I ticked off Zandvoort in 2023,” she says proudly. And perhaps the most fun scenario of all? Sharing a car with her cousin Jonny. “I would love to share a car with Jonny if he’d trust me! It would be super cool if we could share a car one day.” Whether it’s GT endurance, a wildcard entry into something unexpected, or even a homegrown Edgar family team, it’s a pairing that would be really cool to watch.

As the motorsport world continues to debate how best to foster female talent through controlled development series, open sponsorship support, or a mix of both, Jess Edgar’s story remains a critical reminder. Seat time is what matters. Sponsorship is still a gatekeeper. And young women like Jess aren’t asking for handouts they’re asking for laps.