Motorsport has always thrived on innovation, speed, and pushing boundaries and yet for a long time, one persistent barrier remained; gender disparity in a sport dominated by men.

Now, the F1 Academy, a transformative initiative launched in 2023, has been designed not to simply fill the grid with female talent but to reimagine what’s possible in motorsport with a mission not just to race but to inspire, educate, and pave the way for women to take their place at every level of motorsport.

The F1 Academy was created with the clear goal to elevate female representation on and off the track. For drivers aged 16 to 25, it provides the tools and support needed to transition from karting to the highly competitive single-seater ladder.

As a holistic development platform the F1 Academy aims to nurture young drivers with:

• Dedicated track time to perfect racing craft.
• Technical training to master car setup and strategy.
• Physical and mental coaching to prepare for the rigours of elite competition.

In 2024, the Academy will align itself with Formula 1 by racing exclusively during F1 Grand Prix weekends. Each car will display the livery of its associated F1 team, building stronger ties with the established motorsport and providing the drivers unparallelled exposure to global audiences.

This alignment is intended to be a statement rather than a symbol. By integrating the F1 Academy into F1’s showpiece events, the sport is highlighting its commitment to gender equality in one of the most competitive arenas in the world.

Its competitive format mirrors the demands of higher racing categories, ensuring drivers are well-prepared for the challenges of Formula 3, Formula 2, and beyond – not simply showcasing talent but refining it.

Each race weekend is structured to maximise both competition and development with:

• Three races per weekend, including two feature races and a reverse-grid sprint.
• Strategic qualifying sessions to determine grid positions, with a mix of fastest-lap grids and reverse-grid formats.
• Points mirroring F1’s system, with up to 67 points available per weekend, plus bonuses for pole positions and fastest laps.

This structure hones the skills and resilience drivers need to compete at the highest levels, while the reverse-grid races add excitement for fans.

In addition, the F1 Academy is striving for diversity and inclusion away from the track by signing a Diversity and Inclusion Charter, aiming to reshape the historical culture of the motorsport industry equitably.

Programmes like Discover Your Drive aim to dismantle barriers to entry, ensuring that young women from all backgrounds have the chance to pursue their motorsport ambitions – and not necessarily as driver. The Academy is also opening doors for women in technical roles through engineering scholarships. By investing in female engineers, strategists, and mechanics, it’s fostering an ecosystem where women can thrive at every level of the sport.

Leading this shift in momentum is Susie Wolff, a former Williams F1 test driver and one of the most respected figures in motorsport. Under her guidance, the Academy has quickly gained traction, building on the success of its inaugural 2023 season with a 21-race calendar for 2024.

The addition of FIA Super Licence points to the series underscores its growing importance in the junior racing ladder. For the first time, F1 Academy drivers can earn points that count toward the ultimate dream – Formula 1.

So the F1 Academy is more than a championship. By offering a structured, competitive platform, championing diversity, and providing educational opportunities, it’s inspiring a new generation of women to turn dreaming of a life in motorsport into a reality.

And as the series moves into its second season, it’s clear that the F1 Academy is leading the race for equality by redefining what’s possible for women in motorsport.