In Conversation with Joanne Ciconte - Part III: Kyojo Cup & Future Ambitions
Find out the Australian driver's plans for 2026, her ambitions for the future and more.
Joanne Ciconte hasn’t returned to F1 Academy in 2026. Instead, the seventeen-year-old has taken a different path as she embraces the challenge that is the Kyojo Cup - an all-female racing series that is held in Japan from April to October. In this third and final part of our in-depth conversation with the Australian-Italian, we talk about why she decided to make this move, what her preparation for the season ahead is, and look at who some of her racing role models were growing up.
“I’m here to race, and I’m here to meet my ultimate goal, and I feel that can happen by racing in Japan.” - Joanne Ciconte
If you missed either of the first two parts of our conversation with Joanne, you can find them below:
Thiemo: Why did you decide this year to step away from F1 Academy and go into the Kyojo Cup? What was the thinking there?
Joanne: So honestly saying, as I said, F1 Academy was a great series, but I think from a development point of view, it was just hard for myself personally to develop because I wasn’t able to get enough seat time, which, as I said, I entered this series with very minimal experience, which kind of pulled me back as it was a disadvantage against my other opponents. So I feared that doing a second year would kind of just restrict my development more as a driver. And I’m here to race, and I’m here to meet my ultimate goal, and I feel that can happen by racing in Japan.
So this year, I’ve decided to compete in the Kyojo Cup, an all-female Japanese series held by Toyota and Honda. So there are some amazing opportunities there, and I’m aspiring to participate in Super Formula, which is the second fastest open-wheeler category there is, outside of Formula One. And Super Formula, you’ve had Formula One drivers like Liam Lawson, Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda, and I think even Luke Browning, who’s now participating in that. So it’s kind of a down-low series, but I think it’s incredible because the speed is faster than Formula Two. So yeah, I think it’s really up there, and I think I’m trying to take a different route because I think that it’s better for my development point of view.
“This season, I’m taking things more seriously, because I believe participating in the Kyojo Cup is a step up in my career.” - Joanne Ciconte
Thiemo: I was going to ask about Super Formula being on the cards, so I’m glad you read my mind on that one. But you’ve raced in Europe, obviously, you’ve raced in Australia, and now you’re going on to compete in Japan. Have you noticed any differences in the culture around racing in the paddock, with fans, or with sponsors? And what’s maybe stood out to you from those observations?
Joanne: I think, you know, the Japanese culture kind of says it for themselves, because they are so welcoming, they’re so, you know, they really, they make so much effort to really make you feel like you’re welcomed, and they’re just so kind. And I’m so fortunate to be working with an amazing team as well, KCMG Racing Team. They are probably one of Asia’s best teams.
So I’m happy to be racing with them. And my competitors, they are quite fast too. So I’m actually having to put my head down a bit because it’s not an easy series. And it’s also iconic to be racing at the Fuji Speedway Circuit and having great audiences, great fan base. It’s all building slowly, but I have really, really high hopes for this season.
Thiemo: What are your ambitions for the season ahead?
Joanne: So my ambition for this season is to, honestly, as I said before, just develop as a driver, whether that’s physically, mentally, on track, off track, just taking every bit on the way.
And just adapting quickly because it is a new car. It is a new kind of circuit. I’ve driven there a couple of times. And the tires are completely different to what I’m used to. So kind of picking up, putting down kind of situation. So yeah, I’m just going to have to do what I usually do. I feel that like, you know, I wake up every day and I follow the same routine every day. And somehow in a year’s time, I’ve completely changed and I’ve completely gotten better. And things have changed for me. So just keep doing what I’m doing, thinking ahead of myself, progressing. And I’m confident to have a couple of podiums this year.
Thiemo: Is it taking it more of a race by race situation rather than an overall season? I would say you have the season development plan of I want to be in a better position as a driver on these fronts by the end of it. But in terms of what that looks like, I’m not going to set anything specific so that then when it comes to a race weekend, you can just hopefully focus and maximise on what’s right in front of you at that point.
Joanne: Yeah, 100%. I truly believe in what you just said then, because I think that you can’t, in this sport, it’s so intense as it is, and we’re looking for tenths of a second. So you can’t really just say, I need to be on Pole, you really gotta put your head down and dedicate. Every day for me looks like a training day. So it all happens off track as much as it happens on track. So yeah, this season, I’m taking things more seriously because I believe participating in the Kyojo Cup is a step up in my career.
Thiemo: How has that training and preparation been like so far? And how long have you known that you were going to be doing that this year? Because obviously you get the news announced, but you’re never sure how long a driver’s known about that they’re going to do something before they’re allowed to talk about it. So what’s the prep looked like so far on your end?
Joanne: Yeah, so after my season in F1 Academy, I think that we had to come to a decision and decided whether I wanted to do a second season in F1 Academy or put my focus somewhere else. And it was a tough decision, but we made one. I am confident in that decision as well. But yeah, I mean, without knowing, I have to control what I can control. And that means doing training. And it’s a bit hard to know what to do on the simulator, but I can also train physically in the gym. I can train mentally for things. And that just is, it’s better than doing nothing. So that’s kind of what I have to do.
Thiemo: And do you think if you hadn’t been in F1 Academy last year, you’d be doing the Kyojo Cup this year? Which you say, if you had that experience of it, it was great at F1 Academy, but it showed you the different options of what’s out there and how tough it can be and what you might be better off doing in terms of your own personal development. Do you think you’d still be doing it or do you think you’d have been going on a different route somewhere else?
Joanne: Honestly, I’m not too sure. It’s a bit hard because, as I said, things just happen in such a short period of time. Opportunities, they come. And if you don’t take them, they go.
So all this stuff happens so rushed. So I think one of the key strengths as a driver is just being adaptable and knowing how to adapt to different cars, different situations, different opportunities. So I think that I would have definitely been racing in Europe last year, but I think I was really proud and I was really happy and I wouldn’t take it back racing in F1 Academy last year. And it was a great experience because I built myself a profile at such a young age. And being a female, that’s what we need. But I’m here to race, as I said, so I believe that my development and a driving point of view can be built somewhere else.
Thiemo: Then, going back to Giancarlo and Marco for a second, does having that level of experience in your corner change what you thought was possible before they came along? Or does it also put more pressure on yourself as a driver?
Joanne: Having their support?
Thiemo: Yeah, because, you know, these are two people, like you were saying earlier, they’re big figures in motorsport. They’ve gone and had their own careers and success. Does that add pressure to you because you’ve got these significant figures there? Or does it calm things down a bit because you’ve got these significant figures behind you?
Joanne: Funnily enough, both, because, you know, I think that I do have that pressure from them in a good way because they’re expecting well of me. They’re expecting good performances, good results for myself and my limit as a driver, because they know I have potential and they know I can do well for myself and they know how far I’ve come. And every driver is different. But I think it’s in a good way that, you know, they have standards and they have expectations for me and that builds, obviously, a pressure. But for them, it’s kind of acceptable because they’re the ones that believe in you at the end of the day. And my success is also their success. So it’s really fortunate to find good pressure like that, you know. But at the end of the day, they’re always there anyways for me. So it’s kind of also a relief to have that kind of bond and family as a management as well.
“You’re the one who controls the car. And gender doesn’t really play a role in that. Everyone has their own minds and everyone has their own skills.” - Joanne Ciconte
Thiemo: A couple of questions to finish off then, just on the fact that you’ve been racing for eight years now, roughly. What’s something you’ve noticed with relationships with sponsors that’s maybe changed over the years? Because you saw recently that F1 Academy, when it came into existence, more female-focused brands that weren’t traditionally involved in motorsport at all suddenly became interested. Have you found it easier, more difficult or just something else entirely with approaching brands and sponsors to try and get them on board now from before? Or is it still as difficult as it’s always been?
Joanne: Well, so I’m so fortunate to have some of my own sponsors, which are Fleet Space, Kaboodle Kitchen, Nike and Cotton On. There’s some really big names out there in the Australian industry and also the worldwide industry. But I’m really grateful to have them on board because I think motorsport is so financially demanding and it’s honestly saying because there’s no sport like motorsport that’s just so expensive. And I think you can have the skill, you can have the performances, you can have the results. But at the end of the day, it comes down to the coin as well. And I think there’s a lot of drivers out there that missed out on an amazing seat because they haven’t had that backing. And so, yeah, it’s really wholesome to find support like that. I think it’s all about that.
And being a female, it’s been hard, harder to gain that. And that’s why I’m super fortunate. I’m grateful and I could talk about it all day. But I think that, yeah, I think experiencing different industries like makeup brands, hair brands, having an input in motorsport. Honestly, I think it’s quite smart and I think it’s quite good because you have a different audience that’s particularly female-dominated in industries involving themselves in sport. And I think their goal is obviously to have more females involve themselves in the sport.
And I think in getting these different industries and brands involved is definitely helping that. And yeah, I think just because a girl can wear makeup doesn’t mean she can’t perform on track. But yeah, I think without the stereotypes, I think it’s really, really, it’s a great idea.
“Growing up and seeing that there have been some females participating in the sport, Susie Wolff was always a huge inspiration as well.” - Joanne Ciconte
Thiemo: And is there one thing you’ve noticed or seen inside the product that tells you that the landscape for women in motorsports is changing? Or what’s one thing that tells you it isn’t going maybe as quickly as it should be or as you’d like it to be?
Joanne: It’s a bit hard to kind of answer that because there’s still not much. And I don’t really kind of want to see, like personally, I like to see embracement, obviously for females involving themselves in the sport as a driver, mechanic, whatever. But I’m not here to say that women are better than men. I’m here to say that gender plays no role in talent. And motorsports, one of the only sports out there that you’re, you know, you’re a driver. You’re the one that controls the car. And gender doesn’t really play a role in that. Everyone has their own minds and everyone has their own skills.
Thiemo: Goes back to what you’re saying about when you were in karting and just wanting to be the best there. You didn’t think of anything of it.
Joanne: Yeah, it’s such a sport where, like, if you want it, you can get it, but you have to work to get that. And everyone else around you is working differently.
Thiemo: The Australian Grand Prix, you've got to go this year, and it looked like you had a great time. What was that like?
Joanne: Awesome. The Australian Grand Prix is definitely my favourite week of the year. Can’t believe it’s already finished. It’s chaotic for me because obviously I’m Australian. I have loads of requirements to do, but I’m just so excited because of the vibe and the excitement for the Grand Prix. It feels really at home because I’m from Melbourne. I’m at a racetrack. So being home, you know, it’s a great feeling. And I’m really looking forward to next year. Again, awesome, awesome race.
Thiemo: You’ve got great races, not just in F1 as well, F2, F3 and the Supercars. They all delivered across the weekend. So you really lucked out this year.
Joanne: Yeah, 100%. It was great to see some of the people that I’ve raced against participate in Formula 3 and seeing some of the Aussies out there do really well in Supercars. It was just, yeah, the Grand Prix is my favourite week of the year.
Thiemo: And final one, do you have any racing role models that you looked up to? I mean, we’re going to put Giancarlo aside, obviously, and Marco aside, because it feels like that’s the obvious answer there. But is there anyone else?
Joanne: Yeah, apart from the obvious, which is my managers, I have a backstory. When I was younger, there were no female role models at all. So I had to kind of have a role model like Michael Schumacher, Daniel Ricciardo. Actually, I was his good kid back in 2019. So that was awesome. Oscar Piastri, I started at the same go-kart club as him. Then I had people like Mark Webber. I loved Kimi Raikkonen, Max Verstappen. You can kind of see a pattern with the drivers that I like still to this day. Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen, Max Verstappen. They’re definitely some of my favourite Formula One drivers out there because I just love the hard work that they put in. I think that my racing story kind of relates to them somehow. But that’s just from a driver perspective. But growing up and seeing that there have been some females participating in the sport, Susie Wolff was always a huge inspiration as well.
Thiemo: Perfect way to end the interview.
Thank you again to Joanne and Pro Racing Motorsport for taking the time to arrange and conduct the interview with us. The 2026 Kyojo Cup begins May 8th - 10th at the Fuji International Speedway in Japan.
Enjoyed this interview? Have another driver you’d love us to interview in the future? Let us know who in the comments below.