Every female driver needs to be visible in such a men’s world. One of them, aiming to race in 2026 in Formula 4 is 17 years old Milla Sjöstrand. Please, sit in a comfort way and dive into our interview, where we try to flow naturally, starting from her karting roots, F4 transition, gender dynamics in racing, competitive mindset, and long-term ambitions—all informed by her known career highlights like multiple FIA Rising Stars awards, her Padborg Park F4 debut, and Minardi Management powered by Dag Ltd. backing.
Early Career and Karting Start
Przemysław Garczyński: What was the first impulse that led you to karting, and at what age did you take your very first steps on the track?
Milla Sjöstrand: When I was 4 years old my family and I were on a vacation and I got to try karting. I loved it and instantly knew that it was something I wanted to do.
PG: Describe your debut season in OK Junior—how did finishing P10 in the Swedish Championships shape your early mindset?
MS: I stepped up to OK junior during corona when there were no races. Then the first race of the year was the Swedish Championships. It was all very new but I did my best and performed well. I’ve learnt to adapt fast and it is very beneficial in my career.
PG: What was a standout moment from the 2021 MKR Series where you grabbed pole and P1—did that race change how you approached racing?
MS: It was a great race where I was fastest the whole day and won everything. It really showed what I was capable of and who I am.
PG: How did competing in events like the Winter Cup in Lonato test your skills against international fields?
MS: It was a new and exciting challenge at the time. I did my best, learnt a lot and showed that I was able to perform well even on an international level.
Przemysław Garczyński: Who were your biggest influences or role models when you started karting?
Milla Sjöstrand: My role model growing up in racing has been Sebastian Vettel.
PG: How has your training routine evolved from those junior karting days to now?
MS: In karting I spent most days on track driving. You can get a lot of experience, and time behind the wheel there. It is a place where I learned everything I know in racing. In Formula 4, there’s a lot more happening outside of the track. I have always thought training in the gym ect is important and it’s been a big part of my life. But now it’s more than ever. I spend a lot of my time training outside of the track, so when I go on track I’ll be in good shape to perform well.
Path to Formula 4
Przemysław Garczyński: Being selected three times for FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars is rare — how did that open doors to F4 testing with teams like Prema?
Milla Sjöstrand: It was a great opportunity for me to get time behind the wheel and learn as much as possible about the racing world and Formula 4 car. I showed that I am a fast and determined driver that wants to make it in motorsport.
PG: What was the Ferrari evaluation in Maranello like, and how did it prepare you for real F4 cars?
MS: It was a great experience. I got to go a lot of tests and show who I am. Being in Maranello feels different because you’re surrounded by all that Ferrari history, which really pushes you to perform. It prepared me for F4 by showing me how to be much more precise. In a kart, you can be a bit more aggressive, but in an F4 car, you have to think about things like downforce and how you communicate with your team to fix the car’s setup.
PG: Tell us (if you can) about your tests with AS Motorsport, STEP Motorsport, and the Formula Global Shootout—what surprised you most about single-seaters versus karts?
MS: Testing with AS Motorsport was a real “deep end” moment — two full days in the rain! It was the perfect way to learn how sensitive an F4 car is in tough conditions compared to a kart. The Formula Global Shootout was the opposite challenge. With limited track time and 37°C heat, I had to find the limit instantly. Racing with Step Motorsport was a great opportunity. My first races with them were at Padborg Park during the night race. In my debut I performed well and I really learned a lot. I finished in the points and showed my pace compared against drivers who all had much more experience in F4 than me.
PG: Your F4 Nordic debut at Padborg Park in September 2025 netted P10 points finishes — how tough was adapting from karting on the fly?
MS: Adapting from karting on the fly was a huge challenge, but sim racing really saved me. Since I didn’t have as much actual seat time as the other drivers, I spent hours on the simulator to get my muscle memory and braking points down before I even arrived at the track. It allowed me to adapt much faster than if I had started from scratch. Scoring points on my debut weekend against drivers with way more experience was such a massive boost and proved that the digital prep really translates to the real world.
Przemysław Garczyński: What’s one technical skill from karting that directly translated to F4 success?
Milla Sjöstrand: The biggest thing that translates from karting is definitely consistency. In a kart, you learn how to hit the same centimeter of track and the exact same braking point lap after lap, even when you’re tired or under pressure.
In F4, that discipline is what saves you. Because the car is heavier and has downforce, any small mistake is magnified. If you’re not consistent with your inputs, you lose the rhythm and the tires go off much faster.
PG: How did e-sports like the Danish F4 championship factor into your single-seater prep?
MS: The Danish F4 e-sports championship has been great for keeping my race pace sharp after Padborg. It’s the best way to stay in the “racing mindset” during the breaks. Even if it’s digital, it forces you to stay consistent and precise.
Challenges as a Female Driver
Przemysław Garczyński: As one of few women in karting and F4, what daily challenges do you face in a male-dominated sport?
Milla Sjöstrand: To be honest, once the visor goes down, we’re all just drivers. The biggest daily challenge is probably just proving that I belong in that top group every single time I go out. I don’t focus on being a “female driver,” I just focus on being a fast one.
PG: Sweden named you its fastest female kartexpert — how does that title feel amid funding struggles many young drivers share?
MS: Being named Sweden’s fastest is a huge honor, but funding is the toughest “race” we all run. It’s a bit of a paradox—you have this great title, but you still have to work twice as hard to find the budget to stay on the grid.
PG: Have you encountered skepticism about women in racing, and how do you shut it down on track?
MS: Of course, there’s always a bit of skepticism, but I don’t use words to shut it down. I do it with late braking and clean overtakes. The lap times don’t have a gender, and once you start beating people, the talk usually stops.
PG: How does being a female driver affect sponsorship hunts—are there any strategies that worked for you?
MS: My strategy has always been showing that I’m a professional athlete with a long-term vision, not just a girl who drives cars.
Przemysław Garczyński: What’s the best advice you’ve gotten on handling gender bias in motorsport?
Milla Sjöstrand: Don’t give up.
PG: Do you feel extra pressure to outperform as a woman, or is it all about the results?
MS: There’s definitely an extra set of eyes on you, and it feels like people notice your mistakes more. But at the end of the day, it is all about the results.
PG: How has the FIA Girls on Track program impacted your journey beyond the awards?
MS: The FIA Girls on Track program was so good for me. It really helped my career early on by giving me that massive opportunity in Maranello and showing me that there’s a clear path to the top. It gave me a lot of confidence and a great community to be part of as I was starting out.
Competing Against All Drivers
Przemysław Garczyński: In wheel-to-wheel battles, what’s your go-to strategy for outpacing top male drivers?
Milla Sjöstrand: Just drive, it doesn’t matter if it’s a woman or a man, I just want to win.
PG: How do you stay focused on pure speed when gender talk creeps into media or paddock chatter?
MS: I don’t really listen to it. The “gender talk” is something for the media and the paddock, but for me, the only thing that matters is the result. It doesn’t have a gender. I shut out the noise by focusing on my data and working with my engineers. Results are the only language that everyone in racing understands.
Przemysław Garczyński: Does racing mixed fields motivate you more, or is it just about the podium regardless?
Milla Sjöstrand: For me, it’s always about the podium. Racing in mixed fields is just my reality—it’s how it’s been since I started at seven. I don’t get extra motivated because I’m racing guys; I get motivated because I want to be the fastest driver on that track, period.
PG: What’s your edge in qualifying—pole positions seem to be a strength early on?
MS: My edge is all about preparation and belief. I love the pressure of a qualifying lap where it’s just you and the car. I use my sim training to find those extra tenths and then I trust my instincts.
PG: How do you handle on-track aggression from rivals who might underestimate you?
MS: If a rival underestimates me and gets aggressive, I just hold my ground. I’ve been racing wheel-to-wheel for half my life, so I’m not easily intimidated. I stay smart, keep my racing clean, and let my pace do the talking. Usually, once they see you aren’t backing down, that “underestimation” disappears pretty quickly.
Future Goals: F1 Academy and Formula One
Przemysław Garczyński: With Minardi Management powered by Dag Ltd. on board since 2024, what’s your step-by-step plan to land in F1 Academy?
Milla Sjöstrand: Working with Minardi Management and DAG Ltd is all about building the right foundation. For 2026, my focus is the F4 Central European Series to get more international experience. The step-by-step plan is to prove my pace there, aim for consistent podiums, and then use that momentum to a potential seat in the F1 Academy for 2027.
PG: Let’s imagine yourself in F1 Academy—any specific teams or co-drivers you’re targeting?
MS I don’t have one specific team or co-drivers in mind yet.
PG: As for a lot of other drivers. Formula One is the endgame; who are your F1 idols, and how do you aim to surpass them?
MS: I’ve always looked up to Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel for their work ethic and how they built a team around them. Surpassing them isn’t just about trophies; it’s about taking what they did and adding my own style to it.
PG: What milestones, like more F4 podiums, do you need before pushing for higher formulas?
MS: Podiums are definitely the next big milestone. After my top-10 finishes at Padborg Park, I know the speed is there. For 2026, I need to show I can fight for the front consistently in a full championship season.
Przemysław Garczyński: How crucial is adapting to new tracks and cars quickly for your F1 path?
Milla Sjöstrand: It’s everything. In this sport, you don’t get weeks to learn a car; you get a few sessions. My experience jumping from karting to F4, and using the sim to fill the gaps, has taught me to trust my instincts. If you can’t find the limit in the first few laps, you’re already behind.
PG: Any dream F1 teams or circuits you’re eyeing – if anything could happen? Let’s dream 😉
MS: My dream circuit is definitely Monaco — the precision required there is insane. For teams, any team would be a dream. Putting a Swedish flag back on the F1 grid is the ultimate goal.
PG: Beyond racing, how do you plan to inspire the next generation of female drivers?
MS: I try to be visible. Whether it’s speaking to 6,000 people at events or just chatting with a girl at the kart track who saw me race, I want to show that it’s possible. My advice is always: “Don’t give up.” If they see me doing it, they’ll know they can too.
PG: If F1 doesn’t happen right away, what’s Plan B to stay in elite motorsport?
MS: I’ll find a way to be behind the wheel.
Personal Insights and Wrap-Up
Przemysław Garczyński: Let’s step a little back of strictly racing. What’s your pre-race ritual to get in the zone?
Milla Sjöstrand: Before a race, I focus on staying calm and trusting the work I’ve already done. Once the helmet is on, it’s all about total focus.
PG: Balancing racing with life off-track—school, family, or hobbies—how do you manage that?
MS: I’m a normal teenager — I go to school and try to get good grades — but I also spend a lot of time in the gym and on the simulator. When I’m not racing, I love horseback riding; it’s a great way to disconnect and recharge.
PG: What is your favorite track in the world and why?
MS: I’d really like to race in Monaco, because it’s very iconic.
Przemysław Garczyński: What’s one goal for the 2026 season you’re most excited about?
Milla Sjöstrand: I’m really excited to go and just race and show who i am.
PG: If you were not a racing driver, who would you like to be? What was your dream job, when you were a child?
MS: I’ve been racing since I was seven, so it’s hard to imagine anything else. My dream job has always been to race.
PG: And, just to put a strong dot, what’s the message you would like to send to young girls dreaming of F4 or beyond?
MS: My message is simple: Don’t give up. Racing is tough and there are always hurdles, but if you work harder than everyone else and stay determined, you can make it happen. The lap times don’t care who you are, only how fast you go.
PG: Thank you for your time and answers, I’m wishing you all the best and well… fingers crossed for the upcoming season!
Thank you!
