Following victory at F1 Academy Race 2 of the Canadian Grand Prix, Emma Felbermayr has revealed her motorsport idols.
Felbermayr’s victory at the Race 2 of the Canadian GP was her first in single-seater motorsport. The Sauber/Rodin driver sits P9 in the Drivers’ Championship. The Austrian also races in Formula 4 machinery, racing in the Spanish and British F4 Championships in 2025.
Speaking to F1 Academy, Felbermayr discussed her inspirations throughout her motorsport journey, and how they have helped her to this point.
Her grandfather
The Sauber driver credits much of her career to her grandfather, Horst Felbermayr Sr. Her grandfather raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times, teaming with his son four times, and was the reason why Felbermayr now drives in F1 Academy.
“My first racing idol is my grandfather, Horst Felbermayr Sr, because he supported me quite a lot when I was younger, and he’s the reason I started. My brother started because he was gifted a go-kart by my grandfather, and I also started then.
“He raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans together with my father. They raced in one car so it’s really nice. It was really cool to have a family with the same passion. I think this held us together quite nicely because we always had the same idea of what we wanted to do.
“He visited my go-kart racing but he died some years ago so he didn’t experience my high level of karting, just the hobby part. I know he’s looking down on me.”
Sebastian Vettel
Felbermayr names Sebastian Vettel as another of her idols, crediting his four World Championship victories and post-reitirement work as reasons why. Vettel recently held a Race4Women event in Saudi Arabia, aiming to develop grassroots racing in the country. In the future, Felbermayr hopes to meet the man who inspired her to drive with the number five.
“My second racing idol is Sebastian Vettel. When I was younger, I always looked up to him when he was racing with Ferrari for example, winning championships and just being the person he also is now.
“I think he is quite inspiring, and that’s also why I have the racing number five. I haven’t met him yet, I just have an autograph from him in my room so it’s really nice.
“I think the racing with other people is quite similar. They’re just driving at a higher speed in even faster cars so that’s quite different over one lap. Seeing the whole race is probably the thing I can look up to.”
Susie Wolff
Susie Wolff has been an inspiration to women around the world with both her career in motorsport and work after – including being the managing director of F1 Academy. Wolff hopes to create a lasting legacy with the series, which Felbermayr hopes to make the most of.
“My last racing idol is Susie Wolff. I always followed her career when she was driving an F1 car. It’s also quite inspiring to see a woman driving an F1 car, it’s of course my dream as well. It’s great to see that a woman has already achieved this.
“I met her for the first time in Shanghai and it was such a pleasure to speak with her. I had never met her before so it was really exciting. Of course, being surrounded by her and her team is just amazing.
“She says we should grab this opportunity — it’s maybe the only opportunity we have! For me, it’s the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had so I’m doing everything to make the most out of it and just have fun.”
