Introducing Kaylee Countryman: TGR Haas F1 Team’s newest recruit

F1 Academy continues to support Formula 1 in 2026, bringing bigger audiences, international reach, and more chances for fans to follow every story throughout the year.

The season kicks off in March at the Shanghai International Circuit in China. From there, the series travels to Saudi Arabia for the April round at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The first of three North American rounds follows in Montreal, Canada, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, before the European leg begins with the series’ British Grand Prix debut at Silverstone in July.

The Dutch dunes of Zandvoort return in August, before one final trip across the Atlantic to the United States, where the season concludes with races in Austin at Circuit of the Americas and Las Vegas where the season finale will be held in November.

Ahead of the season, we sat down with Kaylee to learn more about her journey into motorsport, her inspirations, and what excites her the most as she makes her F1 Academy debut.

Where are you from?

“I currently live in Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States.”

How did your journey into motorsport begin? 

“I grew up near a small airpark, and I had a golf cart that went very slowly. Eventually I got bored with how slow it was, so I looked for something faster – and that’s how I found karting.”

What does your racing program look like this year?

“This season I’ll be representing TGR Haas F1 Team with ART Grand Prix in F1 Academy, and I’ll also be racing in USF2000 in the United States with Exclusive Autosport.”

You’re one of the youngest drivers on the F1 Academy grid this year. Will that help or hinder you? 

“I think being young will help me. It means I have many years in motorsport ahead of me, and the publicity I’m getting at this age can really help set the stage for my future.”

Do you have any interests outside of motorsport? 

“I’m really fascinated by outer space – astronomy, cosmology – there are just so many possibilities out there in the universe.”

What is the proudest moment of your career so far? 

“Signing with TGR Haas F1 Team for the 2026 season is definitely my proudest moment.”

Do you have any motorsport heroes? 

“I’d say Max Verstappen. He’s aggressive, relentless, and it feels like he never gives up. That’s an attitude I really admire and try to live by.”

What is your favorite race track, and what track are you most excited to visit this year? 

“I love driving Laguna Seca in California and I’m really excited to drive at Zandvoort later in the year.”

How do you wind down after a busy race weekend? 

“I usually relax either on my own or with my family. I think about how the weekend went, what we could’ve improved on, and that naturally leads into preparing for the next race.”

What is your favorite food?

“Raspberries.”

Favorite movie? 

“I really like horror movies. World War Z is a good one.”

Describe yourself in three words

“Driven, happy and excited.”

What’s your ultimate goal for your motorsport career?

“My ultimate goal is to fulfil all of my dreams, and to reach the end of my career feeling happy with what I’ve achieved – with no regrets.”