Drive Further with Autumn Fisher
We sat down with Autumn Fisher, our F1 ACADEMYTM Wild Card driver for the FORMULA 1 LENOVO GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2026.
In the interview, Autumn, an 18-year-old Canadian driver, reflects on the fearless ambition that has shaped her career so far, her hopes to inspire more young women into motorsport, and her excitement ahead of her F1 ACADEMY debut.
This is the first interview in our Drive Further series, which will highlight and champion women and girls in motorsport and leadership throughout the 2026 F1 ACADEMY season, helping to inspire the next generation of female talent.
When did you realise you wanted to become a racing driver?
I was introduced to motorsport through my brother when I attended one of his national races in Las Vegas at the end of 2021. It was my first time at an event of that size and scale – the adrenaline and pressure of a race weekend inspired me immediately. I remember thinking to myself, “I want to be on track – I don’t want to be the one sitting here watching!” That was the moment it hit me. I wanted to race. It was definitely the start of my journey.
I want to be on track – I don’t want to be the one sitting here watching!
Who were your role models when you started?
When it comes to role models, my dad has always inspired me. He’s an entrepreneur and built his business from the ground up. He’s taught me a lot of important life lessons and encouraged me to stay humble and be kind, work hard, and follow my dreams.
In motorsport, I’ve always really admired Ayrton Senna. He’s a legend in motorsport history and won three Formula 1® World Drivers’ Championship titles. His incredible dedication and passion were amazing.
What challenges did you face when you started out and how did you overcome them?
There have certainly been many challenges. One was that I started driving a bit later than most of my peers. Before I got into racing, I was an elite gymnast, and it took me a few years to transition across into motorsport. So, I only started karting at age 16, and I had to jump straight into the senior category instead of starting in mini or junior leagues.
That was hard, because I was racing against drivers who already had more experience than me. For quite a while, I felt like I was playing catch up.
It was only after a year of driving, progressing and learning that I gained the confidence to really see and believe in my own potential.
Once I believed in my own abilities, even when people said I couldn’t do it, I knew I could, and that motivated me.
When did you find out you had been selected as the Wild Card for the Round 2 F1 ACADEMY race in Montreal?
I was in Toulouse, France, testing for the French F4 Championship when I heard the news. I immediately started crying. It was an emotional moment because it’s been a goal of mine for a while. But, it’s not the end goal. Being a full-time F1 ACADEMY driver is my overarching objective – and being a Wild Card driver is a key part of moving up the ladder.
Can you describe your preparation for the race?
My preparation has been intense. I recently spent two days testing on the track at Silverstone, in the UK, and between now and Montreal I have around 14 days on track – almost all in a row – so I’m getting a lot of seat time. I’m also doing as much preparation in the race simulator as possible, watching footage of the Montreal circuit, and working closely with my coaches and engineers to maximise all the time we have before the race.
What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue a similar path in motorsport?
Based on my personal journey, I’d say that it’s never too late to go after your dreams. You just have to go for it. Motorsport is hard, and it’s still male-dominated, but I hope young women can be inspired by my journey. With so many female drivers coming into motorsport right now thanks to F1 ACADEMY, there is real momentum – I think it’s a great time to be involved. So, go out there, try your best, and don’t be discouraged. If you want to be here, you deserve to be here. You’ll find your path, and there are people who will support you along the way.
I hope young women can be inspired by my journey. If you want to be here, you deserve to be here.
How does it feel knowing that Standard Chartered is backing you in Montreal?
I’m so overjoyed – it’s such an amazing opportunity. Racing is a team sport, so knowing that your team is supporting me is really special. I’m so excited and proud to be part of Standard Chartered’s journey in Formula 1®. Having the support of 80,000 employees around the world is a huge privilege.