WILTSHIRE College & University Centre Motorsport Engineering student Rachel Robertson will take to the grid at the F1 Academy season finale in Las Vegas this weekend.
Rachel, who studies Level 3 Motorsport Engineering at our Chippenham campus, will race for Hitech TGR as part of the final round of the global all-female series. She steps into the seat for the Las Vegas event after an impressive season competing in the Radical Cup UK and taking part in the F1 Academy Rookie Test earlier this year.
Speaking on LinkedIn about her call-up, Rachel said she is “beyond excited and grateful for this incredible opportunity.”
Rachel has been balancing her professional racing development with her motorsport engineering studies, using her technical knowledge to support her performance on track. She has previously told us that gaining real track time has been crucial to her rapid progress saying: “The mileage I’ve done and the experience I’ve gained only help me. Every round pushes me to improve.”
Her journey into motorsport has accelerated quickly. After moving from karting into car racing only last year, she secured a place with the Radical Racing Rebels team before finishing the 2025 Radical Cup UK season third overall, including multiple podiums. Her performance earned her a spot at the official F1 Academy Rookie Test in Navarra, placing her firmly on the radar of teams across the series.
The College has praised Rachel’s achievements and the example she sets for other learners. Lily Raynor-Blundell, Head of Faculty of Engineering, Automotive and Motorsport, said: “It’s absolutely incredible to see Rachel’s progress and achievement in the world of Motorsport and the F1 Academy, especially considering she only stepped into kart racing just a few years ago.”
“The Motorsport courses we deliver allow learners such as Rachel to develop their knowledge and application of engineering such as data and performance analysis, engines and electrical systems and materials and fabrication. This allows learners to develop a broad understanding of the industry and motorsport vehicles. For racing drivers, having knowledge of the mechanical aspects will allow them to work well with their teams to drive performance of the car and themselves.”
“Motorsport and Engineering industries are still predominantly male industries, with around just 16% of females in these sectors, and around 10% of race license holders in the UK being female. It’s fantastic to see Rachel thriving as a female in Motorsport and we’re proud to be working with her as part of her journey.”
With strong support behind her, Rachel now prepares for one of the biggest moments of her career so far. Competing on one of the most high-profile stages in the calendar, Rachel is set to showcase her talent on the international scene.
Everyone at Wiltshire College & University Centre wishes Rachel the very best for the weekend as she takes this exciting next step in her racing career.
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