The road to the F1 Academy just got a serious new contender. World Speed Motorsports (WSM), the Sonoma-based team renowned for grooming professional talent, has officially signed Yana Kapoor for a full Formula 4 season and comprehensive Career Development Program for 2026. For Kapoor, the transition from karting to open-wheel cars isn’t just a step up in speed; it is the realization of a lifelong ambition that blends high-octane competition with high-level academics.
From Michiana to the World Stage
Kapoor’s journey began at age eight at Michiana Raceway Park, the same track where Danica Patrick started her career, that was in itself an inspiration to putting pedal to the metal. Her resume has since evolved into a formidable list of accolades, including two consecutive KA 100cc Junior Championships.
Despite running limited schedules in 2024 and 2025, she secured multiple ROK Karting pole positions and podiums. Her talent recently took her global, competing in the Champions of the Future Academy Program. Racing across Italy and the United Arab Emirates, she went wheel-to-wheel against the world’s best.
The F1 Academy’s “Discover Your Drive” karting initiative hosted a key workshop in Abu Dhabi following the season finale. The program immersed talented young female karters in the demands of a professional racing career.
The workshop covered essential off-track skills, including media training, guidance on moving to open-wheel racing, and vital expertise in medicine and nutrition. Yana gained firsthand knowledge and inspiration from engaging with current F1 Academy drivers and F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff.
“Meeting the F1 Academy drivers and having the chance to speak with Susie Wolff was an unbelievable experience. I was truly impressed by the level of commitment and focus they demonstrated, but more importantly, it left me completely inspired. This workshop has solidified my belief and given me the drive I need to push towards my ultimate goal of competing in the F1 Academy.”
A Proven Pathway to F1 Academy
Kapoor’s decision to sign with World Speed Motorsports is strategic. The team has established itself as a definitive feeder system for the F1 Academy grid. Yana is following in the tire tracks of Courtney Crone, a current F1 Academy competitor who developed her craft through the World Speed program.
Additionally, F1 Academy driver Nicole Havrda utilized the same training ground, competing in—and winning—the Formula Pro USA Championships just a year prior to her ascent to the F1 Academy. By joining WSM and the Formula Pro USA Championships, Kapoor is plugging into a development system with a verified track record of graduating women to the top tier of junior formula racing.
The Engineer-Racer
What sets Kapoor apart is what happens when the helmet comes off. She enters the 2026 season not just as a rookie driver, but as a freshman at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Materials and Mechanical Engineering.
This dual focus on engineering and driving allows Kapoor to understand vehicle dynamics on a granular level, a trait she sharpened during her karting as well as multiple training days with Formula One alumnus Allen Berg.
The WSM Connection
World Speed Motorsports is no stranger to the Kapoor family. Last season, the team ran Yana’s older brother Yashom in F4, a partnership that yielded three wins, eight podiums, and two fastest race laps. However, it was Yana’s performance in the paddock that caught the team principal’s eye.
“Though focused on F4 last season, we frequently attended Yana’s karting events and were impressed,” a WSM representative noted. “She consistently posted lap times faster than many of the region’s top karters, including drivers we have previously supported in junior formula. This pace was surprising to us but well-known among karting regulars, who consistently praised Yana’s competitiveness. We fully expect her to bring this same high level of focus and speed to the Formula Pro USA F4 Championship.”
The 2026 Attack Plan: Miles, Media, and Momentum
Kapoor’s 2026 schedule is designed for rapid advancement. The strategy relies on two pillars: accelerated on-track development and professional brand elevation.
Her winter program includes intensive training and racing with Jenson Button’s Radford Racing School and the Lucas Oil Racing School alongside IndyCar alumnus RC Enerson. Following World Speed F4 winter testing, she will contest the full Formula Pro USA racing season in the new X4 Pro with WSM support.
The X4 Pro was chosen specifically for its technical relevance. In terms of weight, horsepower, chassis stiffness, and data acquisition, the car mirrors the performance of the machinery used in the F1 Academy. This ensures that every mile Kapoor drives in 2026 directly translates to her ultimate goal: securing a seat in the F1 Academy for the 2027/2028 season.
Simultaneously, Kapoor is revamping her digital presence, partnering with industry insiders to professionalize her social channels and website to meet the commercial demands of modern motorsport. “My dream—to go from watching Lightning McQueen to becoming him—is now my reality,” says Kapoor. “I started racing karts at age eight, learning the discipline required to achieve ambitious goals. Now, as both an aspiring motorsports engineer and a racer, I strive to make every day a good one, dedicated to putting the Queen in Lightning McQueen.”
More information:
www.KapoorRacing.com
World Speed expects to bring six competitors to the 2026 Formula Pro USA Championships: four in F4 and two in F3. Look for additional driver announcements in the coming weeks.