Isabella Abreu, a young woman born in Holguín and residing in Miami, has set out to make her way to the top of motorsport and dreams of becoming the first Cuban—and also the first person born in Cuba, according to her own aspirations expressed in previous interviews—to reach Formula 1.
In 2026, she will take a decisive step in that direction by competing in the French Formula 4 Championship, an involvement she has described as a historic event for Cuban motorsport in Europe.
“Hello, my name is Isabella Abreu, I am the first Cuban female driver to reach European Formula... born in Holguín, Cuba, living in Miami, racing in the French Formula 4, aiming to get into the Formula 1 academy,” said the young woman in a viral video on social media where she appears with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
In another public statement, she announced: "In 2026, I will become the first Cuban female driver to compete at this level in European motorsport, carrying the flag at the French Formula 4 Championship."
The pilot herself highlighted on Instagram the symbolic and personal significance of that leap. “Proud to announce my 2026 season in the French Formula 4 Championship with the support of @passvlife. This milestone is the result of years of perseverance, discipline, and the power of strategic alliances."
And she continued: "I am honored to become the first Cuban female driver to compete in European single-seater racing, while representing women at the highest levels of a sport traditionally dominated by men. As this journey continues, I actively welcome partners who align with performance, excellence, and global impact."
Abreu insisted that this season holds a value that goes far beyond pure competition.
“This season means much more than just races: it reflects years of perseverance, discipline, and the struggle to overcome barriers in a sport where few women and even fewer Cubans have succeeded,” she stated.
He also made clear the identity dimension of his sports project: “I run with my culture and the support of many, both outside and inside the island. I want to show that there are no limits for those who dream and work hard.”
The story of Isabella
Isabella's story didn't begin in European single-seaters, but in Miami karting, a highly competitive environment predominantly dominated by men.
In 2021, in an interview with CiberCuba, the young woman explained that her goal was to go as far as possible within professional motorsport.
"I would like to reach F1 because, first of all, no Cuban has made it there… I would like to reach Indy car, which is like F1 here in the United States, but if I could make it to F1, that would be perfect," he stated.
At that time, she was known on the Homestead track as "the girl from SOSCuba," a nickname that emerged after she decided to highlight what was happening on the island following the protests on July 11.
She recounted that in the circuit where she trained, many people were unaware of the situation in Cuba, and she chose to use the design of her helmet as a tool to spark questions and conversations.
"I'm going to make my helmet represent what's happening so that people ask me," she explained. Over time, she said, most people ended up recognizing her for that gesture.
His connection with cars dates back to his childhood in Holguín, when he accompanied his father, a mechanic by profession, in the repair of old vehicles.
That early contact with the world of motorsport planted a passion that later took on a competitive form. As he recounted, his specific interest in Formula 1 emerged during the time he lived in Europe, where he discovered that karting was the foundational training for those aspiring to advance in international motorsport.
Abreu began competing in karting at the age of 16. In the mentioned interview, he explained that in a short time he went from driving slower vehicles, around 50 miles per hour, to others capable of reaching between 70 and 80 miles per hour.
He described that evolution as a challenging process that required dedication, discipline, and a great capacity for concentration. “You need to think concisely and quickly about what you're going to do because everything has to be calibrated: your hands, your feet, your mind… and maneuvering, because at that speed, it’s quite difficult to think,” he said.
One of the most notable aspects at that time was the emotional challenge of competing in an environment dominated by much older men.
According to his testimony, he often raced against men in their 30s, 40s, or 50s, and he believed that some of them were not easily accepting of the fact that a teenage girl could surpass or outrun them.
"By the way, I crash and we lose all that money, first; and second, we lose the race," she stated while explaining one of the additional difficulties of making her way as a young woman in that sport.
This competitive pressure was compounded by the high economic cost of motorsport. Isabella noted that one of the main obstacles was money.
He noted that a kart from the previous category he competed in cost about 4,000 dollars, while in the faster category, the price ranged from 5,000 to 6,000 dollars, not including tires, timing computer, race entry fees, technical equipment, and travel expenses.
At that moment, he also acknowledged that they were seeking sponsors in order to continue progressing.
Beyond the results he may achieve on the track, Abreu's leap into the French Formula 4 Championship marks a turning point in his career.
What until just a few years ago was the dream of a teenager in Miami's karting scene is now a concrete foray into European single-seater motorsport, one of the most direct pathways to the major categories.
Filed under: