Analyzing the Performance of Junior Drivers in the Aston Martin and Sauber Academies in 2025

Every aspiring driver in the junior single-seater racing scene dreams of one day competing in Formula 1. For those affiliated with driver academies, the journey to the pinnacle of motorsport becomes significantly more attainable. This article delves into the performances of the members from the Aston Martin Driver Academy and the Sauber Academy in 2025, highlighting their achievements and future prospects.

Aston Martin Driver Academy: A New Era Begins

In June 2025, Aston Martin unveiled its driver academy, marking a significant step in nurturing young talent. The academy welcomed Mari Boya as its inaugural signing, followed by Jak Crawford and Tina Hausmann, who continued their associations with the team through different programs. Mathilda Paatz has recently been announced as the new addition to the academy, set to take over Hausmann’s place in Aston Martin’s colors for the upcoming season in F1 Academy.

Jak Crawford: Aiming for the Top

Jak Crawford, competing in the Formula 2 championship, is in his third season with the DAMS team. Having finished fifth in the previous year, Crawford’s goal was to contend for the championship title. He kicked off the season with a strong performance, securing his first podium in the feature race at Jeddah. Just a week later, he clinched his first victory during the sprint race in Imola. His impressive run continued with triumphs in Monaco, Silverstone, and Baku, coupled with three additional podium finishes, keeping him firmly in the title race until the penultimate round at Lusail, where Leonardo Fornaroli ultimately claimed the championship.

As the season approached its conclusion in Abu Dhabi, Crawford found himself in a fierce battle for second place in the championship standings, vying against Richard Verschoor and Luke Browning. He managed to secure the second position by finishing sixth in the sprint race and tenth in the feature race, as his rivals failed to score any points. By the end of the season, Crawford amassed a total of 175 points.

In addition to his success in F2, Crawford participated in two Free Practice 1 sessions with Aston Martin at the Mexico City and Yas Marina Grands Prix. He also took part in the post-season Young Driver Test at Yas Marina. For the upcoming 2025-26 season, Crawford is set to step into the role of test and reserve driver for Aston Martin, taking over from Felipe Drugovich, who has transitioned to Formula E with Andretti. Crawford recently disclosed that he declined an offer to race in Formula E this season, holding out for a potential race seat in F1, though that opportunity has yet to materialize.

Mari Boya: Making Waves in F3

As a founding member of the Aston Martin Driver Academy, Mari Boya’s journey in 2025 has been noteworthy. Although the academy was officially introduced mid-year, Boya was already deep into his third season in Formula 3 with Campos Racing. The Spaniard initially faced challenges but found his rhythm as the series shifted to Europe. He secured his first podium of the season in the feature race at Monaco, followed by another podium finish in Austria. A standout performance at Silverstone saw him clinch victory in the feature race, propelling him up the leaderboard.

Boya’s consistent performances throughout the season resulted in him finishing within the top ten in four of the last five races, with a highlight being a second-place finish in Hungary. Despite narrowly missing out on the championship title to Rafael Câmara, Boya concluded the season with a career-best third place in the standings, accumulating 116 points. His efforts, alongside teammates Nikola Tsolov and Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak, also contributed to Campos Racing’s first teams’ championship title in F3.

In addition to his F3 commitments, Boya showcased his skills in the FR World Cup in Macau, where he finished as runner-up in both the qualifying race and the main event. Looking ahead, Boya is set to advance to Formula 2 with Prema Racing in the next season, backed by a €200,000 scholarship for his impressive performance in F3.

Tina Hausmann: A Competitive Season in F1 Academy

Tina Hausmann continued her journey with Prema Racing in her second year within the F1 Academy. Partnering with Doriane Pin and Nina Gademan, Hausmann began her season slowly but gradually displayed her potential. She scored her first points of the season in Jeddah, finishing sixth in both the reverse-grid and feature races. Arguably her best weekend came at Montréal, where she achieved points finishes in every race, with her top performance being a fourth-place finish in the third race.

As the season drew to a close in Las Vegas, Hausmann secured an eighth-place finish in the final race after a challenging reverse-grid race where she was unable to start due to a collision. Ultimately, she finished the season ranked eighth in the championship, accumulating a total of 50 points. Following her second season in the F1 Academy, Hausmann’s future plans remain uncertain, as it is unclear whether she will continue her affiliation with Aston Martin.

Sauber Academy: A Promising Talent

The Sauber Academy featured Emma Felbermayr as its sole junior driver in 2025, marking her inaugural year in single-seater racing with Rodin Motorsport. Felbermayr made her debut in the F1 Academy at the Shanghai circuit, where she qualified seventh and started from the front row in the reverse-grid race, ultimately finishing 11th after an incident with Hausmann. She recorded her first points in the series with a fifth-place finish in the Sunday race and achieved a remarkable first victory in the second race at Montréal, executing a last-lap overtake on Gademan.

Felbermayr concluded her season in the F1 Academy by finishing 10th overall in the standings. Before her primary campaign in the F1 Academy, she competed in the initial rounds of the Eurocup-4 Spanish Winter Championship, where her best performance was a 13th-place finish at Jerez.

Beyond her Eurocup stint, Felbermayr also participated in the Spanish Formula 4 Championship, where she finished 29th overall, with her best result being 13th at the final round in Barcelona. Additionally, she made an appearance in the British Formula 4 series at Zandvoort, achieving a 15th-place finish in the second race. As for her future, Felbermayr’s plans for the 2026 season remain undetermined, but she is expected to continue competing in the F1 Academy.

Conclusion

The performances of the junior drivers from the Aston Martin and Sauber academies in 2025 illustrate a vibrant landscape of talent and potential within the world of motorsport. With each driver embarking on a unique journey, their experiences in the various racing series highlight the importance of nurturing young talent through structured programs. As these drivers continue to develop, their paths could pave the way for future success in Formula 1 and beyond.