Shi Wei returns as first 2026 Wild Card driver

Chinese driver Shi Wei, known as 'Tie Dou', is set to make history again, returning as the first F1 ACADEMY Wild Card entry for the 2026 season. She will compete in front of her home crowd at Round 1 in Shanghai, supporting the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix on March 13. Shi, who was the first Chinese driver in F1 ACADEMY last season, recently secured a landmark victory at the F4 Chinese Masters – the first F4 win by a Chinese female driver. Her return highlights the success of the Wild Card initiative, designed to bolster regional talent. Shi expressed her dedication, hoping her journey inspires more women in motorsport, while Chinese motorsport officials praised her performance and commitment to promoting female drivers.