Romanian teenager Zoe Florescu Potolea, just 17 years old, has become a key figure in one of the year’s most spectacular international advertising campaigns. As the official Wild Card driver for the F1 Academy 2026 season, she will represent the new generation of performance athletes alongside none other than Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the history of athletics.

Zoe, who signed with F1 Academy and Dirt Is Good as the official Wild Card driver for the Zandvoort, Netherlands, leg of the 2026 F1 Academy season, was chosen following her performance at the official F1 Academy Rookie Test in 2025. Her selection is part of a multi-year partnership between F1 Academy and Dirt Is Good, the world’s largest detergent brand, known globally under the names OMO, Persil, and Skip. Dirt Is Good has become the Official Laundry Detergent Partner of the competition.

17-Year-Old Romanian Zoe Florescu Potolea Joins Usain Bolt in F1 Academy Global Campaign

Beyond the track, Zoe was chosen to participate in a major international advertising campaign for the brand Dirt Is Good, alongside Usain Bolt, a multiple world champion and world record holder in sprint. The campaign will run in over 50 countries through Dirt Is Good's global brands, including Persil, OMO, and Skip. This represents one of the most extensive international commercial campaigns ever involving a young Romanian athlete.

The collaboration positions Zoe not only as an emerging talent in motorsport but also as part of the new generation of international athletes connected to the values of Formula 1—elite performance, progress, and promoting women in sports.

"F1 Academy is all about demonstrating in a very visible and high-pressure environment. Every session counts and you have to perform when it matters the most. I am proud to be part of this moment and grateful for the support from Dirt Is Good as I take the next step." - Zoe Florescu Potolea