From Shanghai to Montréal—Everything a 19-Year-Old Race Car Driver Takes on Long-Distance Flights

      Over the past seven years, 19-year-old Canadian race-car driver Nicole Havrda has dedicated most of her time to motorsport. She began racing at the age of 12 and progressed through the ranks, eventually receiving an invitation in 2025 to join F1 Academy—an all-female racing series established in 2023 aimed at promoting change in motorsport and supporting young women in racing careers. Featured in the Netflix docuseries F1: The Academy, F1 Academy is a single-seater racing series launched by Formula One, allowing aspiring female drivers the opportunity to collaborate with F1 teams, race on the same weekends as F1, and learn from notable F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. During her first season, Havrda races for American Express, highlighting women-owned small businesses along the way. Before the Canadian Grand Prix, her home race, I had the opportunity to discuss Havrda's effective packing tips, her favorite aspects of working with Amex, her career aspirations, and the essentials she packs for long flights. Below, find our conversation and a list of her packing essentials, which have proven effective throughout her travels this year from Shanghai to Montréal.

      What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of being a race-car driver? Winning, of course! And seeing the support from fans and making my parents proud.

      Your experiences as a female in motorsport were showcased in the documentary The Car Knows No Difference. Why was it significant for you to share your journey in this sport with the public? Do you intend to continue being vocal about your experiences, especially now that you're part of F1 Academy? I enjoyed revealing the behind-the-scenes aspects of racing and what it's truly like to be a woman in motorsport. We're currently filming a second season of that documentary, which will feature my racing in F1 Academy.

      Can you share your experience in F1 Academy and your collaboration with American Express? Working with Amex during my debut season in F1 Academy has been fantastic. I'm particularly proud that our partnership highlights local women-owned small businesses at every F1 Academy race this year. Each race has featured the logo of a local women-owned business on my livery, and in Montréal, I was thrilled to display the logo for MTLPilates, a local Pilates studio. Throughout the season, I've had the chance to meet many of the small business owners I've partnered with, which is incredibly fulfilling. Supporting women both on and off the track is very important to me and my team.

      Considering your career involves a lot of travel, how often do you find yourself on the road, and what places have you visited on the F1 Academy schedule and beyond? I’ve traveled extensively this season with F1 Academy. So far this year, my travels have taken me to China, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Canada, Europe, and the UK for the F1 Academy schedule. I’m bouncing around almost every two weeks!

      Have you discovered any packing or travel tips that you rely on? I’ve identified specific clothing brands I consistently bring along, such as Lululemon and On, and I ensure I pack a limited amount to avoid overpacking at each race. When passing through TSA, I carry only my helmet bag and backpack for quick and easy processing. Given my frequent travels and attention to health, I try to avoid airport scanners and prefer being patted down whenever possible.

      Havrda's International Packing List

      Beauty: It’s no surprise that Havrda's entire travel beauty routine consists of products from Charlotte Tilbury, the official partner of F1 Academy—the brand’s first global sports sponsorship. Her essentials include viral favorites like the Beautiful Skin Foundation and Hollywood Contour Wand, along with mascara, blush, setting powder, and setting spray from the brand. She also brings her Dyson hair straightener everywhere she goes.

      Charlotte Tilbury

      Velvet Large Organizer Bag

      Charlotte Tilbury

      Beautiful Skin Foundation

      Charlotte Tilbury

      Airbrush Flawless Makeup Setting Spray

      Charlotte Tilbury

      Legendary Lashes Volume 2 Mascara

      Charlotte Tilbury

      Hollywood Contour Wand

      Dyson

      Corrale Styler Straightener

      Fashion: As an athlete and frequent traveler, Havrda frequently wears leggings and activewear, primarily from Lululemon and On. More specifically, she chooses leggings and shorts from On and sport bras, skirts, and leggings from Lululemon. Additionally, she never leaves without her Prada sunglasses and sneakers. "For track walks, I wear my On Clouds, and on race day, I always opt for my blue Nike Air Jordans," she shares. "For events, I typically wear heels, and I have various options to suit the occasion."

      Lululemon

      Align No Line High-Rise Pant

      Prada

      Sunglasses With Triangle Logo

      Lululemon

      High-Rise Pleated Tennis Skirt

      Nike

      Air Jordan