F1 Academy has announced a new partnership with global beauty retailer Sephora ahead of the 2026 season, with Spanish rookie Natalia Granada joining the championship grid as part of the collaboration.
The agreement sees Sephora support Granada during her debut campaign while also becoming the beauty retail partner of the series. As part of the partnership, Granada will compete in a Sephora-branded entry operated by PREMA Racing, completing the full-time grid for the upcoming season.
Granada secured her place after impressing during the F1 Academy rookie test programme, which evaluates emerging female drivers seeking entry into the championship. Her promotion marks another step in the series’ effort to build a clear development pathway for female racing talent within the broader Formula One ecosystem.
Beyond driver support, the partnership will integrate Sephora’s brand presence across the F1 Academy calendar through a series of fan-focused activations designed to enhance the race weekend experience. This includes the introduction of Sephora Glam Bars within the hospitality areas of select events, offering premium beauty and styling experiences for guests attending races.
Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 ACADEMY, said, “SEPHORA is an iconic global brand with a passionate community across markets worldwide, championing individuality and confidence. Joining forces with them is incredibly powerful. This partnership goes far beyond beauty; together, we are challenging outdated stereotypes and redefining who and what belongs in motorsport.”
Deborah Yeh, Global Chief Marketing Officer, SEPHORA, added, “We are thrilled to become the Official Beauty Retail Partner of F1 ACADEMY, supporting their commitment to women’s empowerment worldwide. This collaboration will give us an incredible opportunity to engage with audiences from Shanghai to Austin, bringing our unique brand experience to fans while supporting the dreams of these athletes. We look forward to celebrating the synergy between sports and beauty and continuing to champion our shared values throughout the various races.”
Natalia Granada, Driver for SEPHORA, continued, “I am very eager to start the 2026 F1 ACADEMY season with SEPHORA. It is a great privilege to partner with them, and being part of their first global sponsorship is an honour. Beauty and sport might seem like different worlds, but both celebrate confidence and expression. Support like this is incredibly important for female drivers, and it’s empowering to have a brand that truly believes in our ambitions. I’m really looking forward to what we can achieve together this year.”
In addition to race-weekend activations, Sephora will support a season-ending drivers’ celebration event, recognising achievements across the championship and further amplifying the visibility of female athletes in motorsport.
Granada’s inclusion completes the driver line-up for the 2026 F1 Academy season, which begins this week in Shanghai alongside the Chinese Grand Prix. The championship will continue to run across multiple global venues on the Formula 1 calendar, providing young drivers with greater exposure and competitive experience at the highest levels of the sport.
The partnership marks another step in F1 Academy’s strategy to attract global consumer brands into motorsport while strengthening its mission to expand opportunities for women in racing.
