INTERVIEW: How F1’s epic 2021 duel inspired Kaylee Countryman all the way to F1 Academy

Countryman concedes that, bar a stellar weekend in Montréal when she scored her first points in F1 Academy by finishing seventh in the first race, followed by her first podium with second in the reverse-grid follow-up, this season has been a "difficult, up and down" campaign.

"One of the things that I feel like I have struggled most with is the tracks that I can't actively be practising at compared to some of the others," said Countryman, speaking to this writer in an interview.

"I'd never been to Silverstone or Zandvoort before, whereas others had. I know that in British F4, and a lot of the other F4 series, you can test there whatever you want.

"Because I've been in a few different cars now in different conditions, it's forced me to have to adapt much quicker. Actually, surprisingly, when I was in karting, that was my weakness. It took me forever to adapt to new circumstances, whether it was with a new kart, rain, or whatever."

With one final F1 Academy weekend remaining in late November in Las Vegas, just a short flight away from her home in Arizona, Countryman is at least hoping to finish the season strongly before deciding what's next.

"What I think helped with Montréal, and hopefully it will be the same for Vegas, is that the only drivers who had been there were those who were in the Academy last year. That gives me a bit more confidence and fewer nerves.

"I think it helped a lot, putting almost everyone on an even playing field. I don't want to use it as an excuse, but I'm really excited for Vegas because it's going to be in the same realm, I hope, as Montreal.

"Otherwise, it's been difficult to be consistently in the points, I would say. It's been a bit of a struggle, but hopefully we can end the season on a high with this last race."

As to what follows, there is the possibility of a second and final year in F1 Academy should she be offered a seat. Whatever the decision, there are plenty of discussions to be had with her manager Facu Regalia, a former GP3 runner-up and founder of the motorsport management company, Road to Success, and her parents, stepfather Aaron and mum Telle.

"We haven't actually spoken much about what our plans are for next year yet," said Countryman. "My family and I and my manager, we've all been slammed with a lot of different things.

"He's been very busy with F2 and F3. I think we'll probably talk more about it after Vegas, hopefully, and then get a better idea.

"I'm still deciding whether we focus more on some of the racing in the States and pursuing more the IndyCar ladder, or going more in the IMSA realm, or Porsche Cup.

"Obviously, Formula 1 is any driver's goal, just because it's the ultimate. Realistically, for now, we're still looking at some of our options, still very undecided with what we want to do."

At least Countryman has a pillar of support in Regalia and his team, who have lived and breathed motorsport for most of their lives and so can open numerous doors for their pool of young talent.

"We only joined up with him towards the end of last year," said Countryman. "He's helped me get some tests in Europe, doing some winter series. Then obviously, the seat in the Academy has been great.

"As a former driver he's obviously got a lot of experience, and he acts as my coach as well. It's been really nice to have him be a spotter in some sense, along with my engineer."

Alongside F1 Academy this season, Countryman has dovetailed the campaign with numerous outings in the USF2000 Championship, scoring points in three of the 12 races in which she has competed, to build up her open-wheel experience — bearing in mind this has only been her second year. She also took part in the UAE4 Series at the start of the year.

In 2025, after just two years of karting, Countryman drove a full season in USF Juniors, four races in USF2000 and Formula Trophy, as well as six in the Atlantic Championship for USF Juniors, winning two and finishing third in the standings.

Competition across the board was naturally fierce in all the series, fast-tracking her learning; the offer of a seat in F1 Academy came at the right time.

"That was always the goal [at the test], to get a seat for this year because I wanted more experience," said Countryman. "I wanted to be on other tracks rather than just doing USF.

"It's definitely different racing in the US versus anywhere in Europe or on the other side of the world. I just wanted to get another opportunity, and we were looking at a few teams.Thankfully, Haas came through to give me a seat towards the end of the year."

Countryman concedes that an American team supporting a young female American driver "has been amazing" and "a really nice fit".

"It's great for their home races as well," she said. "Our last race is Las Vegas, so that should be really fun. Of course, I mean, it's Vegas! But I think it's been great. They've helped me a lot through my career and development as well. It's just been great to be on the team."

It is remarkable to think that such a rapid rise has stemmed from Countryman simply watching the titanic fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton unfold over the 2021 season when she was 11, piquing her interest enough for her parents to purchase a two-day karting course at a nearby racing school in early 2022.

She concedes she "absolutely loved it", leading to her being given an LO206 kart, and although she readily admits that she "didn't really know what I was doing whatsoever" in that first year, the initial feeling of love for karting never faded.

Two years later, the fact that a neighbour, Dan Erickson, ran a new FIA-certified race circuit near Tucson led Countryman into open-wheel racing from which she has never looked back.

Erickson has remained "a huge part" of Countryman's "life and learning journey" to such an extent that he will be in Las Vegas to cheer her on in the F1 Academy season finale.

As to what follows beyond Las Vegas remains unknown, but at least Countryman has a strong core of people behind her ensuring she will end up making the right choice.

"Everyone's contributing in their own way, whether it's the management company that I'm with, or ART, or Haas, they're all helping," she said. "It's really helping me altogether."

Main image courtesy of Simon Galloway via Getty Images.