Breaking barriers at 300 km/hr

At just 16 years old, Joanne Ciconte is living the kind of story that inspires new generations. With a bright smile, a determined heart, and proud Italian roots, Ciconte is carving out her place in Formula 1, a sport long dominated by men.

Born in Melbourne, Joanne Ciconte’s journey is proof that passion, family, and culture can fuel extraordinary dreams. When she speaks, her words flow with both humility and strength, revealing the unmistakable confidence of a young woman who knows where she comes from and where she wants to go. 

Her love for racing started when she was 9 years old. “I have always loved sports,” she recalls. “My dad was passionate about motorsport and go-karting. When my little brother started racing, watching him inspired me to give it a try. Back then, there were no girls in the sport: no female drivers, no female mechanics. But I kept asking my dad to let me drive, and the moment I finally did, I fell in love with it.”

After six years of karting, Joanne moved into formula racing and quickly found herself competing on the world stage. Today, she’s part of the F1 Academy, a program launched by Formula 1 in 2023 to develop and support female racing talent around the world. Joanne is the youngest driver on the 2025 F1 Academy grid.

“It still feels surreal,” she says with a mix of excitement and disbelief. “Being one of only two Australian girls in the Academy is a huge honour. I’ve worked so hard to get here.”

Behind the glamour of racing in 15 countries and catching over 40 flights in a year, Joanne is also a student.

“I used to go to school in person, but with all the travel, it became impossible to keep up”, she explains. “So now I do online learning. It’s more flexible and allows me to study anywhere, from hotel rooms to airports and racetracks”.

Racing demands more than speed: it requires resilience, focus, and determination. “People often assume it’s easy, but it’s physically and mentally challenging. I love pushing myself and achieving my goals. That feeling of overcoming something hard is the best.” 

The competitive environment hasn’t always been kind. Being the only girl on the track for years came with challenges. “In a male-dominated sport, some guys don’t like being beaten by a girl. They didn’t see me as a driver, just as a girl. It was tough, but it made me stronger.”

Joanne’s story is also deeply shaped by her Italian heritage. Her family hails from Calabria, and it is central to her life. “I’ve grown up surrounded by Italian love and support. Family is everything. And, of course … food!” she laughs. “My Nonna Giovanna makes the best traditional dishes, and we even make salami at home.”

And just like many Italians, she carries a touch of superstition too: “Before every race, I wear the necklace my nonna gave me with the Madonna on it and carry a cornicello—my little chili charm for luck.” Her Nonno Cosimo has always been her biggest fan: “He loves that I’m out there racing against the boys,” she smiles.

Though based in Melbourne, Joanne spends much of the year travelling across Europe and the Middle East. Her multicultural background—Italian on her father’s side and Ukrainian-Russian on her mother’s—gives her a unique perspective on the world. She understands Italian and speaks a little of the Calabrian dialect. “I’m shy about speaking, but I want to become fluent one day,” she says with a shy grin.

When asked what advice she would give girls dreaming of a racing career, her answer is simple: “Just do it. Don’t let fear or doubt stop you. If it’s your dream, follow your gut. Even when it feels lonely, it’s worth it. Passion will make you feel at home.” 

“Motorsport has more downhills than uphills,” she continues. “But everything happens in its own time. I’m still young, and I know persistence is the key.”

Joanne’s ultimate dream is bold: to become Australia’s first female Formula 1 driver. She is already on the path to the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the next step after the Academy.

“The atmosphere, the fans, the challenge—these are what excite me most,” she says. “I want to inspire other girls to dream big too.”

Joanne Ciconte is more than a young, fast driver; she is a symbol of courage, culture, and ambition. Her multicultural heritage is not just a footnote, but a driving force that can take you anywhere—at 300 km/hr or at any speed.