16-year-old Danish teen racing prodigy Alba Hurup Larsen from Roskilde has made history as the first Dane to be accepted into the prestigious Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy. She is one of only six young talents globally selected for the program in 2026.
Breakthrough for a Danish Talent
In a landmark moment for Danish motorsport, 16-year-old Alba Hurup Larsen from Roskilde has been officially accepted into Ferrari’s elite driver development program, Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy (SFDA). This marks the first time a Danish national has joined the academy, widely recognized as one of the most competitive and exclusive programs in international motorsports. For Danish motorsport it’s a huge step.
Alba’s acceptance into SFDA, effective starting January 1, 2026, signals that Ferrari sees serious potential in the young driver. Each year, Ferrari handpicks just six drivers worldwide for their academy. Alba rose above fierce competition, impressing Ferrari engineers and talent scouts with her impressive results across several racing series. Catching Ferrari’s attention is not a small thing for a Danish teen from Roskilde.
From Girls on Track to F1 Academy
Alba first caught the global racing community’s attention back in 2023, when she won the FIA’s “Girls on Track – Rising Stars” program at just 14 years old. The competition, held to discover and support young female racers, became her springboard onto the international stage.
By 2024, she had debuted in formula cars with select races in India’s F4 championship and, in 2025, secured a full-season seat in F1 Academy — a highly visible platform for top female racing talent aged under 25. In that series, competing against elite young drivers from around the globe, Alba secured points in 7 of the first 8 races, currently ranking sixth in the championship standings.
A Danish Teen Dream Coming True
Growing up admiring the Ferrari legacy, joining the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy is the pinnacle of the Danish teen, Alba’s journey so far. Becoming part of SFDA not only affirms her raw talent, but also gives her access to Ferrari’s technical resources, coaching, and career development — essential factors for pursuing a future in Formula 1.
Scuderia Ferrari’s academy, founded in 2009, has helped foster the careers of current F1 drivers such as Charles Leclerc. The program includes physical training, mental coaching, and simulator testing combined with real-race exposure — providing a well-rounded foundation for drivers with ambition to reach F1.
An International Lifestyle
Although a native of Roskilde, Alba spends most of her time abroad. In 2025, she was home in Denmark for just six weeks due to an intense training and racing schedule that takes her across Europe and Asia.
Even now, during a break between races, Alba is keeping busy attending off-track events. As part of her growing profile beyond the racetrack, the Danish teen appeared at Copenhagen Fashion Week this August and participated in events hosted by leading fashion publications, including a dinner with prominent Danish public figures.
Back in Roskilde, when not traveling, Alba continues her training using a state-of-the-art racing simulator, fine-tuning her technique during limited downtime at home.
Future Plans Still Unfolding
While her 2026 calendar is still being finalized, it is confirmed that Alba will continue competing in F1 Academy — where she is positioned as a title contender. With access to Ferrari’s network and mentorship, opportunities may also emerge for her to test or race in other categories such as Formula Regional or F4 European series.
Her long-term goal is clear: to secure a seat in Formula 1. And with this new partnership with Ferrari, Alba is now on a well-paved path toward that dream. At just 16 years old, the Danish teen has already achieved milestones few can match — and Denmark is watching with pride as the nation’s first Ferrari-backed racer accelerates into the global spotlight.
A Rising Star from Roskilde
Alba’s journey serves not only as an inspiration to young drivers across Denmark but also as a testament to the growing presence of women in motorsport. Whether at high-speed on the track or representing her country at international gatherings, Alba Hurup Larsen continues to break barriers and redefine what’s possible for Danish athletes in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
