When did you start driving?
I was actually a swimmer for six years and my goal was to go to the Olympics … But then my dad brought me to a Formula 1 race and I just fell in love with it right there and then. I mean everyone has that thing when you get to the track and you have that adrenaline rush … I never had that in swimming.
I got started in go-karting on the mainland [in] Chilliwack … and then [travelled] around Canada. I went to Montréal and Toronto, and then some karting races in America as well.
What brought you to single seater racing?
I’ve always [been] in love with Formula 1. [It’s] the goal. The weirdest thing [was] when I went from karting [to] cars, I actually went to a GT car first. So getting the first taste in the GT car, it didn’t give me as much [of] a spark…
The feeling of an open wheel feels so different. I would say GT cars feel more like street cars to me personally. It is quite odd to be sitting in the cockpit and looking at the tires.
How did you find out that you were going to be racing in the F1 Academy?
It’s a little hard to say because it’s been in the works for a while, so I kind of saw it coming … It’s emotional, with my parents and my family — it just hit us [that] I [was] gonna be racing with Formula 1.
What do you think about F1 documentaries?
I think F1Academy is amazing doing this docuseries [F1: The Academy (2025-)]. I’ve seen episode one, it looks amazing. It looks just like Drive to Survive (2019-). It is very similar [and] has the same drama as well as showing stories and showing the behind the scenes … On social media you don’t have that…We actually have normal lives.
What has the F1 Academy taught you so far?
I did learn that there’s less driving, so you have to be on it right away. You can’t take time [to] slack in [Free Practice One], your mind has to be set and you have to just learn the track real quick. You learn on the [simulator], but you have to learn it [in reality] as well and learn it within one or two laps.
[There’s] a lot of stress because you’re with F1 and there’s so many eyes [on you] — but so many people tell me, just have fun with it. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and you just have to enjoy it while it is. You just have to do the best you can to prove that you’re meant to be there and that there’s more in the future too.
Is there a driver that you admire?
I have to say Susie Wolff, just because [of] the academy … As well as being a woman that’s driven a Formula 1 car, and it’s inspiring what she’s doing [to help] women. When I started racing, and especially being from North America, I looked up to Danica Patrick a lot … I read all her books.
And of course there’s Lewis Hamilton… him being humble and also coming from nothing, it is quite inspiring.
What do you think it takes to win?
I think it takes the right team around you — the [right] people … It takes the right preparation to win as well as the right mindset because it’s so mental. […] I’d say believing you can do it [too]. That’s how you get to the top.
Is there any advice you want to give to girls who are looking to get into motor sport?
Just believe in yourself. We all believe in you. And I think the biggest thing is, just keep going and have fun with it.
I remember when I was young, I had some days where I didn’t enjoy it and I just wanted to go home… And you know every time you go to the track you just have to be like: This is what I want to do. […] Just enjoy it.
Interview has been edited for length and clarity.
