The Driver Behind

the Wheel

Close-up of a person wearing a racing helmet with a visor, smiling with their eyes visible.

Ana Palestro is a 16-year-old F4 racing driver from Bellevue, Washington. She is currently competing with Kiwi Motorsport NZ in the 2026 Formula Pro USA Western Championship, targeting F1 Academy and IndyCar. She began her professional racing career with Jensen Global Advisors in late 2024 and joined Kiwi Motorsport in June of 2026.

“On the grid, I am thinking about my strategy, the track, the weather, and the car. My focus helps me make the right calls every second of the race.” - Ana

How it all started 

A young girl with brown hair and a black shirt lying on the floor, hugging a red toy race car with white stripes, in a kitchen setting.

My journey started with a love of cars and motorsports — something I explored on my own, while bringing my family along for the ride.

It evolved into a hands-on passion: reading, building complex LEGO models, and collaborating with my father to design and build a full-scale racing simulator.

A girl with long dark hair wearing a pink shirt is smiling behind a LEGO model of a racing car on a wooden table in a bright room with large windows.

First Laps

A young girl sitting inside a race car, wearing racing gear and smiling. The race car is decorated with various sponsor logos and graphics, and it is in a garage or pit area with people and equipment in the background.

My first real experience on a racetrack came in 2023, as a passenger during a Sonoma raceway ride-along with pro-drift driver Zandara Kennedy.

It was an experience so inspiring that I shared it with the world on YouTube.

first competition 

In 2024, I represented Washington State at the K1 U.S. Finals at K1 Circuit in Southern California.

Three women in racing suits sitting in go-karts at a race track, with helmets placed on the front of each kart, during a racing event.

F4

My goal in 2026 is to win the Formula Pro USA F4 WRS Championship.

Close-up of a young race car driver wearing a white helmet with an orange visor and a teal racing suit, sitting inside a race car with a camera mounted on the rear wing.

During the 2025 season finale at Buttonwillow, my ability to perform in difficult wet-weather conditions earned me my first career trophy and Women's Vice Champion honors.

A group of five people outdoors, smiling, dressed in racing team shirts, with a cloudy sky and open field in the background. One person in the center is holding a trophy.
A group of five people outdoors, smiling, dressed in racing team shirts, with a cloudy sky and open field in the background. One person in the center is holding a trophy.

At 15, I closed out my (2025) rookie season by crossing the finish line first in six of the final eight WRS race competitions.