| Payton Westcott | |
|---|---|
| 👁 Image Westcott in 2025 | |
| Nationality | 👁 United States American |
| Born | Payton Riley Westcott[1] (2009-03-20) 20 March 2009 (age 17) Laguna Beach, California, USA |
| F1 Academy career | |
| Debut season | 2026 |
| Current team | Prema Racing |
| Car number | 9 |
| Starts | 1 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
Payton Riley Westcott (born 20 March 2009) is an American racing driver who currently competes for Prema Racing in F1 Academy.
Career
[edit]Karting
[edit]Westcott began karting at the age of 12, competing until 2024.[2][3] Mainly racing in the US in her karting career, Westcott made her international debut in 2024, racing in the Champions of the Future Academy Program as part of F1 Academy's Discover Your Drive initiative.[4][5]
Formula 4 (2025–)
[edit]Stepping up to single-seaters in 2025, Westcott began the year in Formula Winter Series with Van Amersfoort Racing,[6] scoring a best result of 13th in race three at Aragón to end the winter 27th in points.[7] For her main campaign, Westcott took part in the Italian F4 Championship, also with Van Amersfoort Racing.[8] During the first race of the season in Misano, she finished in 20th and claimed her first win in the women's' championship.[9] Westcott advanced on Emily Cotty in the women's championship throughout the season, securing double class wins at both Monza and Mugello.[10][11] At Imola, Westcott achieved a class win during race one and tied her highest finishing position of 20th during race three.[12] By the end of the season, she finished the women's championship in second.[13] Westcott also participated in the E4 Championship, once again with VAR.[14]
At the end of 2025, Westcott raced in the first and last rounds of Formula Trophy with Prema Racing,[15] winning race two at Dubai from reverse-grid pole, becoming the first female race winner in the series,[16] before returning for the season-ending round at Yas Marina and finishing tenth in race one, helping her end the year tenth in points.[17] Also in 2025, Westcott made a one-off appearance in the F4 Saudi Arabian Championship in the season-ending Jeddah round, in which she scored a best result of eighth in race two.[18] At the beginning of the following year, Westcott remained with Prema to compete in the first three rounds of the UAE4 Series,[19] in which she scored a best result of eighth in race two at Dubai.[20]
F1 Academy
[edit]During her maiden campaign in Italian F4, Westcott participated in the F1 Academy rookie test at Navarra, where she placed third in the morning session and 1st in the afternoon session.[21] She was then selected as the wildcard driver for the final round of the 2025 F1 Academy season in Las Vegas.[22][23] She scored points in her debut race by finishing sixth, before retiring in race two after a crash with Joanne Ciconte.[24][25]
Westcott made her full-season debut in the 2026 season with Prema Racing, succeeding 2025 title champion Doriane Pin as the Mercedes-backed driver.[26]
Karting record
[edit]Karting career summary
[edit]| Season | Series | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | California ProKart Challenge - KA 100 Jr. | 7th | |
| SKUSA SuperNationals - KA 100 Jr. | Nash Motorsportz | 28th | |
| 2023 | USPKS - KA 100 Jr. | 6th | |
| USPKS - X30 Junior | 32nd | ||
| SKUSA SuperNationals - KA 100 Jr. | Nash Motorsportz | 18th | |
| SKUSA SuperNationals - X30 Junior | 30th | ||
| 2024 | USPKS - KA 100 Jr. | Rolison Performance Group | 11th |
| USPKS - X30 Junior | 33rd | ||
| Champions of the Future Academy Program - OK-N | 35th | ||
| Sources:[27][28] | |||
Racing record
[edit]Racing career summary
[edit]| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Formula Winter Series | Van Amersfoort Racing | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27th |
| Italian F4 Championship | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48th | ||
| E4 Championship | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35th | ||
| F1 Academy | Hitech TGR | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 18th | |
| Formula Trophy | Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 30 | 10th | |
| F4 Saudi Arabian Championship | Zahid | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 17th | |
| 2026 | UAE4 Series | Prema Racing | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 21st |
| F1 Academy | |||||||||
| Sources:[29][27] | |||||||||
Complete Formula Winter Series results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Van Amersfoort Racing | POR 1 17 |
POR 2 17 |
POR 3 23 |
CRT 1 19 |
CRT 2 24 |
CRT 3 17 |
ARA 1 15 |
ARA 2 Ret |
ARA 3 13 |
CAT 1 19 |
CAT 2 23 |
CAT 3 25 |
27th | 0 |
Complete Italian F4 Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Van Amersfoort Racing | MIS1 1 |
MIS1 2 20 |
MIS1 3 Ret |
MIS1 4 26 |
VLL 1 |
VLL 2 22 |
VLL 3 23 |
VLL 4 DNQ |
MNZ 1 22 |
MNZ 2 22 |
MNZ 3 25 |
MUG 1 28 |
MUG 2 27 |
MUG 3 29 |
IMO 1 26 |
IMO 2 C |
IMO 3 20 |
CAT 1 25 |
CAT 2 27 |
CAT 3 C |
MIS2 1 |
MIS2 2 27 |
MIS2 3 24 |
MIS2 4 DNQ |
MIS2 5 26 |
48th | 0 |
Complete E4 Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Van Amersfoort Racing | LEC 1 21 |
LEC 2 22 |
LEC 3 16 |
MUG 1 Ret |
MUG 2 28 |
MUG 3 Ret |
MNZ 1 Ret |
MNZ 2 16 |
MNZ 3 19 |
35th | 0 |
Complete F1 Academy results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Hitech TGR | SHA 1 |
SHA 2 |
JED 1 |
JED 2 |
MIA 1 |
MIA 2 |
CAN 1 |
CAN 2 |
CAN 3 |
ZAN 1 |
ZAN 2 |
SIN 1 |
SIN 2 |
LVG 1 6 |
LVG 2 Ret |
18th | 3 |
| 2026 | Prema Racing | SHA 1 6 |
SHA 2 3 |
MIA 1 |
MIA 2 |
CAN 1 |
CAN 2 |
ZAN 1 |
ZAN 2 |
SIN 1 |
SIN 2 |
LVG 1 |
LVG 2 |
Complete Formula Trophy results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited | DUB 1 8 |
DUB 2 1 |
DUB 3 14 |
YMC1 1 |
YMC1 2 |
YMC2 1 10 |
YMC2 2 Ret |
10th | 30 |
Complete F4 Saudi Arabian Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Zahid | BHR1 1 |
BHR1 2 |
BHR2 1 |
BHR2 2 |
JED1 1 |
JED1 2 |
JED2 1 |
JED2 2 |
JED3 1 11 |
JED3 2 8 |
17th | 4 |
Complete UAE4 Series results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Prema Racing | YMC1 1 16 |
YMC1 2 Ret |
YMC1 3 22 |
YMC2 1 22 |
YMC2 2 21 |
YMC2 3 23 |
DUB 1 9 |
DUB 2 8 |
DUB 3 20 |
LUS 1 |
LUS 2 |
LUS 3 |
21st | 6 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Vibrant. Intelligent. Passionate - Get to Know Payton Westcott!". Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ^ Gritti, Francesco (30 October 2025). "F4 Italy | Exclusive interview with Payton Westcott: "We're still evaluating options for 2026."". p300.it. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ^ Guajardo Lozano, Alejandra (26 November 2025). "Woman Spotlight Wednesday: Payton Westcott". dive-bomb.com. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ^ Cole, David (7 March 2024). "EKN Driver Diary: Payton Westcott – Champions of the Future Academy Program – Cremona". ekartingnews.com. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ^ "F1 Academy 'Discover Your Drive' supported-drivers announced". Racers. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ^ Muschlien, Finjo (30 January 2025). "Formula Winter Series: 2025 season guide". Feeder Series. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ Allen, Peter (2 March 2025). "McLaughlin reigns in another slippery FWinter Series race". Formula Scout. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ Brusa, Francesca (5 May 2025). "Italian F4: 2025 season guide". Feeder Series. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ Albertini, Marco (7 May 2025). "Italian F4: Emily Cotty and Payton Westcott reach final in Misano round". Racers. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ Albertini, Marco (26 June 2025). "Italian F4: Cotty retains female trophy lead as Westcott takes two trophy wins". Racers. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ Albertini, Marco (16 July 2025). "Italian F4: Payton Westcott closes in on female trophy with two class wins". Racers. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ Albertini, Marco (6 August 2025). "Italian F4: Cotty achieves season-best qualifying at Imola". Racers. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ "Payton Westcott named as F1 Academy Wild Card for Las Vegas finale". Racers. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ Brusa, Francesca (17 July 2025). "E4: 2025 season guide". Feeder Series. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ "PREMA Racing set for three-car Formula Trophy campaign". kartxpress.com. 28 November 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ^ Jackiewicz, Maciej (5 December 2025). "Payton Westcott claims maiden F4 victory in Formula Trophy at Dubai". Racers. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ^ Wood, Ida (13 December 2025). "Alp Aksoy ends first month in single-seaters with Formula Trophy title". Formula Scout. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ^ Wood, Ida (7 December 2025). "Belofsky crowned Saudi Arabian F4 champion then shares wins in finale". Formula Scout. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ "UAE4 Series: 2026 season guide". feederseries.net. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ^ "UAE4: Emily Cotty and Payton Westcott score points twice at Dubai". racers-behindthehelmet.com. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ^ "Ella Stevens fastest in landmark F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test". F1 Academy. 18 September 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ^ Iversen, Patrick; Coleman, Madeline (15 November 2025). "Why F1 in Las Vegas remains so surprising. Plus: When drivers steered 1-handed". The Athletic. New York Times. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ^ "Payton Westcott confirmed as Visit Las Vegas' Wild Card for F1 ACADEMY season finale in Las Vegas". Formula One. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ^ "Aurelia Nobels grabs maiden F1 Academy podium". Racers. 22 November 2025. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ^ Wood, Ida (23 November 2025). "Chambers wins in Las Vegas as Pin clinches F1 Academy crown". Formula Scout. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ^ Coleman, Madeline (9 February 2026). "16-year-old American Payton Westcott to represent Mercedes in 2026 F1 Academy season". The New York Times. The Athletic. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Payton Westcott". Driver Database. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ^ Kartcom. "Westcott Payton". Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ^ "Payton Westcott Results". motorsportstats.com. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
External links
[edit]- Payton Westcott career summary at DriverDB.com
- Official website
- 2009 births
- Living people
- F1 Academy drivers
- American female racing drivers
- Formula Winter Series drivers
- Racing drivers from California
- Sportspeople from Laguna Beach, California
- Italian F4 Championship drivers
- Saudi Arabian F4 Championship drivers
- Van Amersfoort Racing drivers
- Hitech Grand Prix drivers
- Mumbai Falcons drivers
- Prema Powerteam drivers
- 21st-century American sportswomen
- Mercedes-AMG Motorsport drivers
- Euro 4 Championship drivers
