Can I Kick It? | Kassir's F1 Career

[Agent]

Driver Profile: Noura Kassir – ART Grand Prix



Country: Lebanon
Team: ART Grand Prix
Academy: McLaren Racing Academy
Previous Series:
FIA Formula 3 – 2024 (Top 10 in Championship)
Formula Regional European Championship – 2023 (Multiple Podiums)
Formula 4 UAE & Italian F4 – 2021–2022
Best Result: FIA Formula 3 – 2024, 9th in the Drivers’ Championship

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Lebanon’s Noura Kassir will make her FIA Formula 2 debut in 2025 with ART Grand Prix, becoming the latest talent from the McLaren Racing Academy to graduate into Formula 1’s premier feeder series.

Kassir’s rise through the junior ranks has been rapid. After showing promise in Formula 4, she advanced to the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA), where her speed and consistency earned multiple podium finishes. Her performances attracted the attention of McLaren, who signed her to their Academy program and oversaw her 2024 campaign in FIA Formula 3, where she impressed with a top-10 championship finish.

Now at 22 years old, Kassir makes the step up to F2 with one of the grid’s most successful outfits, ART Grand Prix, as she continues her pursuit of Formula 1.

“I’m incredibly excited to start this new chapter with ART in Formula 2,” Kassir said. “This is a huge opportunity, and I’m determined to learn quickly, fight hard, and make the most of the chance McLaren and the team have given me. My dream is Formula 1, and this is the next step to prove I belong there.”

ART praised the Lebanese driver’s resume and development curve, noting her adaptability, professionalism, and ability to deliver under pressure as key reasons for the signing. With McLaren’s backing and ART’s track record of developing champions, Kassir enters the 2025 season as one of the most exciting rookies on the grid.

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Seasons

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Chapters.

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ART Grand Prix rookie' Noura Kassir Impresses on First F2 Qualifying in Bahrain With A P2 Start.



The morning sun beat down on the Sakhir circuit, glinting off the sleek ART Grand Prix cars in the desert heat. Noura Kassir stepped out of the team transport, helmet tucked under her arm, eyes scanning the garage with a mix of focus and curiosity. At 22, she was young, ambitious, and carrying the weight of a lot of expectations — but she walked with the confidence of someone who had fought her way to this moment.

“Nervous?” her race engineer asked, checking the timing screens.

“Yeah,” Noura replied, a grin tugging at her lips. “Everything looks incredible. Can’t wait to see what this track throws at me.”

Her engineer chuckled. “Just remember: smooth is fast. Treat it like any other track, and the car will do the rest.”

Hours of simulator sessions, tire briefings, and setup adjustments melted into a blur. Every suggestion, every nuance, every bit of data she absorbed sharpened her focus. By the time she slid into the cockpit for qualifying, she was ready — not just to drive, but to make a statement.

The engine roared to life, and the Bahrain track stretched out before her. Noura pushed hard, navigating corners with precision, feeling the car respond like an extension of her own body. Lap after lap, she improved her time, shaving off milliseconds with every turn, learning the nuances of a circuit she’d never raced before.

As the checkered flag fell for the session, the timing screens told the story: Kush Maini had taken pole, but Noura Kassir had clinched P2 on her debut qualifying session — a remarkable achievement that immediately caught the attention of everyone in the paddock.



Returning to the pits, she removed her helmet, letting the desert wind hit her face. “Not bad.. Not bad..” she said, half to herself, half to her engineer.

Her engineer smiled. “Definitely not bad. In fact… that was impressive.”

The debut might have started with qualifying, but the real test — the race itself — was about to begin.

[Agent]

Maini Makes His Mark: Bahrain Opener Belongs to Invicta, Kassir Debuts in Style with P5
F2, Round 1 - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain


Kush Maini takes place at the podium with the trophy as Invicta wins the first round of the season.




ART Grand Prix's rookie, Noura Kassir, placed 5th in her long awaited F2 debut to earn 10 points while teammate' Zak O'Sullivan tallied 1 for a total of 11.

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Tough Qualifier for Noura Kassir in Jeddah, But ART Grand Prix Team Stands Behind Promising Rookie.



Lebanese rookie Noura Kassir struggled in Round 2 of the FIA Formula 2 season at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, qualifying 21st out of 22. After a strong debut in Bahrain finishing 5th, the ART Grand Prix driver found the high-speed, street-style layout of Jeddah challenging, battling grip issues and tricky corners throughout the session.

Prema’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman dominated qualifying, securing P1 and P2 on the grid and setting the benchmark for the weekend.



Despite the tough outing, Kassir remains determined to make her mark on race day. ART Grand Prix team principal commented on the rookie’s resilience:

“Noura showed incredible pace in Bahrain, and today wasn’t easy, but we know what she’s capable of,” he said. “She’s a fast learner, and we have full confidence that she will recover in the race and show her true potential.”



Kassir will start near the back of the grid, but with the challenging Saudi track often providing overtaking opportunities, the rookie has a chance to claw back positions and gain valuable experience. The Jeddah weekend is proving to be a test of her adaptability — and her ability to handle adversity on the F2 stage.

[Agent]

Prema's Antonelli Tops Jeddah As ART Rookie' Kassir Faces Tough Weekend Following A 2-Second Penalty
F2, Round 2 - Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia


Antonelli celebrates with his team after a dominating victory alongisde teammate Oliver Bearman to score 43 Points for Prema.

[djp73]

Excuse me?!

j/k, good stuff. Following of course.

[kibaxx7]

Colapinto!!! Nice idea, bro. Following for sure. I've always had an itch to do something different like this, probably a tennis franchise, but I never found a proper layout to do it

[Captain Canada]

This is sick! Excited to follow along and see where this journey takes you