Bedfordview’s Gianna Pascoal takes next step towards Formula 1 dream

Sixteen-year-old Gianna Pascoal of Bedfordview is taking her South African championship title into the next chapter of her racing career.

Recently crowned the 2026 OKN South African Karting Champion, Pascoal is preparing to make her European single-seater debut with Pace Performance in Britain’s GB4 Winter Series.

She will make her debut at Snetterton, marking another step towards her ambition of reaching Formula 1.

Since starting her karting career six years ago, Pascoal has accumulated numerous accolades, which have helped secure her a place in the Formula 4 seat with the acclaimed More Than Equal female development programme. She is one of only six drivers selected internationally to participate.

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“Being able to call myself South African champion is an incredible feeling.

“When I started karting, I was racing against drivers who already had years of experience.

“I had so much catching up to do, and I chose to give up competitive diving to put everything into racing. So, this title means a huge amount to me,” said Pascoal.

She launched her racing career in 2021 at the age of 11, nearly twice the typical age for karting champions, and quickly developed her racecraft.

Training under Wesleigh Orr, founder of WORR Motorsport in South Africa, she began racking up wins across karting categories before leading the ROK National Championship standings in 2025.

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Last year, Pascoal also made history as the first female South African driver to secure a seat in the FIA Karting Academy Senior class, competing on African circuits and the international stage.

Her OKN South African Karting Championship title comes as Pascoal gains even greater international recognition.

She is now preparing to make her European single-seater racing debut in Britain’s GB4 Winter Series at Snetterton with Pace Performance, a British team that achieved four race victories and four additional podium finishes during its 2026 GB4 campaign.

“My incredibly supportive family, my mentor Wesleigh Orr, and the many highly influential drivers, coaches and engineers I work with at Greater Than Equal have made a huge difference to my performance.

“I’m incredibly grateful, and I’m so excited to share this with them.

“I plan to compete at the highest levels, and taking a national championship in karting while I’m working hard in Formula 4 is a real confidence boost as I push further into global motorsport.”

Orr said: “Pascoal’s determination, hard work and hunger to succeed are what most set her apart.

“I’ve watched her grow from a young karting driver into a national champion in record time, and her progress has been absolutely remarkable.

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“She has her sights firmly set on a Formula 1 seat, and I genuinely believe she has the talent, discipline and fighting spirit to get there. The road ahead won’t be easy, but Gianna is never one to back down from a challenge.”