F1 Academy is a global initiative committed to increasing female participation in motorsport through grassroots activities and professional programs. By providing opportunities for girls and young women to compete at high-profile events and gain exposure, F1 Academy aims to inspire the next generation of female racing talent and create pathways for them to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
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The Evolution of F1 Academy
Introducing F1 Academy’s Mission
F1 Academy, the all-female racing series, has made significant strides in its mission to increase female representation in motorsport. The 2024 season marks a pivotal moment, with all 10 F1 teams coming together to support drivers from outside their grids, a historic move that unites the sport. The series has attracted partnerships with renowned brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Tommy Hilfiger, and PUMA, reflecting a shared vision to expand the sport’s reach and challenge stereotypes about women in racing.
The global expansion of the 2024 season, spanning three continents and featuring challenging circuits like Jeddah, Miami, and Qatar, is vital for nurturing talent worldwide and providing invaluable experience for the drivers to advance their careers. F1 Academy’s collaboration with the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine underscores its commitment to facilitating pathways for talented drivers, removing barriers, and ensuring support for driver progression.
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Grassroots Impact: F1 Academy Discover Your Drive
Nurturing Female Motorsport Talent
F1 Academy Discover Your Drive is a global initiative aimed at increasing female participation in motorsport at the grassroots level. The program focuses on several key areas to identify and nurture young female talent:
- Youth Engagement: F1 Academy Discover Your Drive offers entry-level programs for girls and young women to inspire them to consider a future in motorsport. In 2024, the initiative will run activities around the world in the days leading up to F1 races, engaging local communities and inviting girls aged 8-18 to attend workshops and activities.
- Talent Identification & Progression: The program collaborates with Motorsport UK, the governing body for four-wheel motorsport in the UK, and TeamSport Karting to identify and develop young female kart racers through the F1 Academy Discover Your Drive Karting UK program. Despite approximately 45,000 young girls visiting TeamSport venues annually, only a small fraction transition to competitive racing, with just 146 out of 2,275 cadets aged 8-12 in TeamSport’s Race Academy being girls. The initiative aims to bridge this gender gap and serve as an entry point for young girls into motorsport.
- Community Outreach: F1 Academy Discover Your Drive will leverage F1’s global platform to reach tens of thousands of girls every year. TeamSport’s 35 indoor tracks across Great Britain, many located in or around large cities, reduce barriers to access for those from urban areas. The initiative aims to raise awareness of available opportunities and dismantle barriers that hinder female participation in motorsport.
- Partnerships: The program’s success is made possible through partnerships with Motorsport UK and TeamSport Karting, as well as support from F1 and the backdrop of global women’s sport success. These collaborations are pivotal in making motorsport more accessible and enjoyable for young girls.
“The F1 Academy presents an opportunity to promote genuine change in our industry by creating the best possible structure to find and nurture female talent on their journey to the elite levels of motorsport, both on and off the racetrack.” — Susie Wolff
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Recent F1 Academy Race Highlights
Barcelona Thrills: Pulling Dominates
The recent F1 Academy races in Barcelona showcased the immense talent and competitive spirit of the young female drivers. Abbi Pulling dominated the weekend, securing her fourth win of the season in a commanding performance. Starting from pole position, Pulling maintained her lead throughout the race, skillfully navigating restarts and building a comfortable gap to her rivals.
- Nerea Martí: Racing on home soil, Martí claimed an impressive second-place finish, delighting the Spanish fans.
- Chloe Chambers: Rounded out the podium in third, a strong result for the Hitech team.
Other notable performances included Bianca Bustamante finishing fourth and Hamda Al Qubaisi securing fifth place for Red Bull Racing. These standout performances underscore the depth of talent within the F1 Academy grid and the series’ success in providing a platform for these young women to showcase their skills on a global stage. By racing on the same weekends as Formula 1, F1 Academy offers invaluable exposure and experience for the drivers as they progress in their careers.
F1 Academy 2024 Race Calendar
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The 2024 F1 Academy season features an expanded global calendar with races across three continents. Here is the full race schedule for the upcoming season:
| Date | Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|
| March 7-9 | Jeddah | Saudi Arabia |
| May 3-5 | Miami | United States |
| June 21-23 | Barcelona | Spain |
| August 23-25 | Zandvoort | Netherlands |
| September 20-22 | Marina Bay | Singapore |
| November 29-December 1 | Lusail | Qatar |
| December 6-8 | Yas Marina | Abu Dhabi |
The 2024 season marks a significant expansion for F1 Academy, with all events now taking place as support races during Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends. This integration with the F1 calendar provides increased visibility and exposure for the series and its drivers.The season opener in Jeddah and finale in Abu Dhabi bookend a diverse schedule that includes street circuits like Marina Bay in Singapore and traditional tracks like Barcelona. New additions to the calendar include Miami, Qatar, and Singapore, reflecting F1 Academy’s goal of becoming a truly global series.Each race weekend will feature a revised format for 2024, with five on-track sessions:
- A 40-minute practice session
- Qualifying, which sets the grid for both races
- Two 30-minute races
Points are awarded using the same system as Formula 1, with the top 10 finishers scoring points in each race. Additionally, two points are awarded for each pole position.This expanded calendar, coupled with the series’ integration into F1 weekends, demonstrates F1 Academy’s commitment to providing its drivers with experience on a variety of challenging circuits while maximizing their exposure to the wider motorsport community.
Media and Public Engagement
Expanding F1 Academy’s Reach
The 2024 F1 Academy season will see a significant expansion in media coverage and public engagement. The series will be broadcast live in over 160 international territories, with 23 broadcasters airing the second season following the inaugural broadcast at the 2023 season finale. Fans across all regions will also be able to stream qualifying and the races from all seven rounds live on F1 Academy’s YouTube and X channels and via F1 TV.
This increased exposure is expected to substantially boost viewership and generate greater interest in the series. The live international feed and highlights programs for all seven events will bring the exciting on-track action to a wider audience than ever before. The addition of renowned sports broadcaster Nicki Shields as lead commentator, alongside former F1 test driver Jordan King and European Sportscar Champion Alex Brundle, will enhance the viewing experience and provide expert insights.
Furthermore, an upcoming Netflix docuseries is set to shine a spotlight on F1 Academy and its talented drivers. The series will offer behind-the-scenes access, chronicling the journeys and challenges faced by the young women as they compete at the highest level. This in-depth look at F1 Academy has the potential to capture the attention of casual viewers and motorsport enthusiasts alike, drawing new fans to the series and raising its profile on a global scale.
Future Prospects
Driving Change, Inspiring Futures
F1 Academy is playing a vital role in creating a more inclusive and diverse motorsport environment. By providing a platform for young female drivers to compete at a high level and gain invaluable experience, the series is helping to break down barriers and challenge stereotypes about women in racing.
The introduction of FIA Super License points for the top five drivers in the 2024 season underscores F1 Academy’s commitment to creating a pathway for female talent to reach the pinnacle of the sport. This, combined with the increased media exposure through live international broadcasts and the upcoming Netflix docuseries, will help to raise the profile of the series and its drivers, inspiring a new generation of female racers.
Moreover, initiatives like F1 Academy Discover Your Drive are crucial in addressing the gender gap at the grassroots level. By engaging with local communities, identifying young female talent, and providing entry-level programs, the initiative aims to increase female participation in motorsport from an early age.
As F1 Academy continues to grow and evolve, its impact on the motorsport landscape cannot be understated. By creating opportunities for women both on and off the track, the series is helping to build a more diverse and representative future for the sport. The success of F1 Academy and its drivers serves as a powerful reminder that talent knows no gender, and that with the right support and opportunities, women can compete at the highest levels of motorsport.
Conclusion
F1 Academy’s commitment to promoting female participation in motorsport is evident through its comprehensive programs, high-profile races, and growing media presence. By providing opportunities at all levels, from grassroots initiatives to professional racing, F1 Academy is paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse motorsport future.
