Formula 1 Academy (F1 Academy) has gained increasing media attention since the inaugural 2023 season, as the teams and drivers gain more exposure. In hopes to build off of the success of Netflix’s F1 documentary series Drive to Survive, F1 Academy has announced a documentary which will follow the events of the 2024 season. The Netflix documentary series “F1: The Academy” premiers worldwide on the 28th of May, this feature will answer five of the most common questions asked about F1 Academy.
1. Is it just a women’s F1 style racing series?
Unlike its predecessor W Series, F1 Academy was never designed to be simply a women’s version of Formula 1, nor does it operate at the same level. Instead, F1 Academy was designed to add to the formula feeder series system. The primary path that all athletes take in order to get into Formula 1 is the Formula feeder series. Starting at regional Formula 4 races, those who get picked up by teams and sponsors then hope to climb through Formula 3 and 2, with the hopes of making it to F1.
F1 Academy simply adds another step to the feeder series, the drivers use Tatuus T421 Cars, identical to those used in Formula 4, making their lap and race times more comparable to other drivers in Formula 4 and allowing them to competitively show their abilities. F1 Academy drivers have already begun to be picked up by F4 teams, for either one off races or seasonal contracts, showing the success and progress already being made.
2. Why do we need it?
Formula 1 has always been an exclusive sport. The cars cost millions to produce and drive, and exposure is never free when most races require paid entry. For this reason drivers cannot simply fund themselves and to get to a prominent level they require copious amounts of economic funding. The root of the majority of gender-based inequality comes from a lack of funding or sponsorship opportunities. Teams and sponsors are less likely to economically support female drivers, and a primarily male motorsport fan base means in the past that those who did had limited profit.
Former W series driver Jamie Chadwick, who won the series multiple times, attempted to join Formula 3 on multiple occasions to begin a charge for F1, however, each time a lack of sponsorship and company backing made it economically impossible. It is not the skill of the drivers which holds them back from moving into higher feeder series’, but the remnants of discrimination in the economic aspects of the sport.
F1 Academy provides young female drivers the opportunity to race Formula spec cars, whilst also providing them with broadcast exposure and the chance to get picked up by sponsors or teams which will greatly benefit their chances at getting into the main feeder series’.
3. What does the winner get?
Similar to other feeder series systems, the winner of F1 Academy will not be able to continue to compete the following season. The inaugral winner of F1 Academy Marta Garcia received a fully funded seat in the Formula Regional European Championship, where she still races for the 2025 season. Last years winner and all future champions will receive a fully funded GB3 seat with Rodin Motorsport, a vital step in allowing them to move into Formula 3 and 2. The winner also receives a championship trophy.
4. How many teams and drivers are there?
For the 2025 season F1 Academy features 18 drivers across six teams. The teams are; PREMA Racing, Rodin Motorsport, Campos Racing, MP Motorsport, ART Grand Prix, and Hitech GTR. On top of this, each Formula 1 team must personally sponsor 1 driver, with Redbull Racing opting to sponsor 2 drivers. This adds an extra layer of collaboration for the drivers, as they have the opportunity to work within the F1 team development system, and work alongside the teams, including the F1 drivers.
5. What has the impact been?
Whilst it is still only the 3rd season of the sport, it is clear it is already having an impact. The F1 Academy website reports a 265% increase of female participation at grass roots levels of Motorsport. Furthermore, 7 of the F1 Academy drivers also participated in the British F4 championships, with the 2024 British championships reporting the highest level of female participation ever. Similarly, Abbi Pullling, the 2024 F1 Academy champion became the first woman to win a race in the British F4 championship series.
Additionally, the nature of F1 Academy has attracted new sponsors into Motorsport, who work alongside the female drivers and the race organization. Brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, PUMA, and Charlotte Tilbury each sponsor 1 car, playing a crucial role in the drivers development. Some drivers also utilize the media to gain their own sponsorship, most notably Bianca Bustamante amassed a large social media following, which she utilized to her advantage to gain more sponsorship opportunities. Highlighting the idea that F1 Academy has ready has a massive impact, and there are still many more season and changes to come.
Feature image credit: Lukas Raich
