The existence of all-female racing championships continues to provoke a familiar debate. For some, categories such as F1 Academy and the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) represent a necessary response to the barriers that have prevented women from progressing through motorsport at the same rate as men. They provide visibility, seat time and opportunities that may otherwise remain inaccessible. For others, separating female competitors from mixed grids

Now 18, Havrda is the first Canadian to race in F1 Academy, Formula 1’s all-female development series. Driving for Hitech GP in partnership with American Express, she’s spending 2024 travelling the world and competing on the same weekends and circuits as Formula 1. It’s the biggest opportunity of her career, and she’s acutely aware of what it means. “It’s honestly the best opportunity you can get as a female driver right now,” she says. “And it’s a bit surreal."