Full Speed Ahead.
As the new F1 Academy season gets underway at the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend, the series is marking the moment with a partnership that signals just how far women’s motorsport has come. SEPHORA has been announced as an Official Partner and the Official Beauty Retail Partner of the championship, bringing together two worlds that share more in common than one might expect. After all, confidence, individuality and self expression are just as present on the racetrack as they are in front of the mirror.
The 2026 F1 Academy season kicks off with a new partnership as Sephora joins the championship as its Official Beauty Retail Partner.
“We are thrilled to become the Official Beauty Retail Partner of F1 ACADEMY, supporting their commitment to women’s empowerment worldwide. This collaboration will give us an incredible opportunity to engage with audiences from Shanghai to Austin, bringing our unique brand experience to fans while supporting the dreams of these athletes. We look forward to celebrating the synergy between sports and beauty and continuing to champion our shared values throughout the various races,” said Deborah Yeh, Global chief marketing officer at SEPHORA.
Over the course of the season, SEPHORA will also be bringing some of its in-store magic trackside. At selected races, fans can expect interactive beauty stations and activations designed to add a new dimension to the race weekend experience. The partnership also extends to the F1 Paddock Club, where SEPHORA’s Glam Bars will be available to guests at 18 Grands Prix throughout the year.
Natalia Granada
The brand will also appear directly on the grid through Spanish rookie Natalia Granada, who joins the 2026 line-up this year after an impressive showing during her inaugural rookie test in 2025. Granada will race in the ‘SEPHORA operated by Prema Racing’ entry, with the car’s design taking cues from SEPHORA’s recognisable black and white stripes.
“I am very eager to start the 2026 F1 ACADEMY season with SEPHORA. It is a great privilege to partner with them, and being part of their first global sponsorship is an honour. Beauty and sport might seem like different worlds, but both celebrate confidence and expression. Support like this is incredibly important for female drivers, and it’s empowering to have a brand that truly believes in our ambitions. I’m really looking forward to what we can achieve together this year,” Granada said.
SEPHORA will also back a brand new end of season celebration dedicated to the drivers, recognising the progress, standout performances and milestones from across the championship.
As the lights prepare to go out in Shanghai this weekend, the new season of F1 Academy begins with fresh energy on the grid. It will be exciting to see how the partnership with SEPHORA unfolds across the season ahead.
