For over 70 years, Formula 1 has been regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport. While fans may be enamoured with the high-speed racing and luxurious lifestyle, the world of F1 has long been reserved for a very select group of male athletes.
With motorsport on the rise globally, many women and girls have since begun to strap into their helmets and join the starting grid, however, they have sadly been largely underrepresented in the highest levels of the sport.
WATCH: This is F1 Academy | Formula 1. Article continues after video.
Fortunately, in 2023, Formula 1 launched F1 Academy – a dedicated motor racing championship for women.
Featuring 15 of the sport’s most talented up-and-coming female drivers, the championship hopes to boost the participation of women in the highest levels of motorsport, providing the training and dedicated track time to develop the drivers for the Formula 3 championship, with the goal of one-day joining stars such as Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo on the Formula 1 grid.
As we count down the days until the first race of the season, keep scrolling for everything you need to know about F1 Academy.
What is F1 Academy?
Introduced in 2023, F1 Academy is an all-female motor-racing championship created by Formula 1.
Equivalent to racing at a Formula 4 level, F1 Academy is the third iteration of a dedicated racing league for women, with both Formula Woman and the W Series only running for three seasons each before being dissolved due to lack of funding.
Created with the aim of introducing more women into the world of motorsport, F1 Academy is made up of 15 drivers and five teams, with all 10 of the 2024 Formula 1 teams placing their support behind one driver on the grid and the remaining five receiving sponsorship from other partners.
Who is the leader of F1 Academy?
In March 2023, professional racing driver Susie Wolff was appointed as the managing director of F1 Academy. No stranger to the world of Formula 1, Susie is a former test driver for the Williams Formula 1 Team and former Team Principal and CEO of Formula E’s Venturi Racing.
“There is a lot of work to be done, but there is also a clear determination to get this right. In doing so, I believe the F1 Academy can represent something beyond racing. It can inspire women to follow their dreams and realise that with talent, passion, and determination, there is no limit to what they can achieve,” Susie said following her appointment.
How many races are in F1 Academy?
There are seven races in the F1 Academy calendar for 2024, compared to the 24 races of the Formula 1 season.
The F1 Academy 2024 season calendar is as follows:
- Race 1: Jeddah, Saudia Arabia (March 7-9)
- Race 2: Miami, Florida (May 3-5)
- Race 3: Barcelona, Spain (June 21-23)
- Race 4: Zandvoort, the Netherlands (August 23-25)
- Race 5: Singapore (September 20-22)
- Race 6: Lusail, Qatar (November 29 – December 1)
- Race 7: Yas Island, United Arab Emirates (December 6-8)
Who are the F1 Academy drivers?
There are 15 drivers in the 2024 F1 Academy season divided into five teams; Rodin Motorsport, MP Motorsport, Campos Racing, ART Grand Prix, and Prema Racing.
The 2024 driver lineup is as follows.
- Bianca Bustamante – ART Grand Prix (supported by McLaren Formula 1 Team)
- Lia Block – ART Grand Prix (supported by Williams Formula 1 Team)
- Aurelia Nobels – ART Grand Prix
- Maya Weug – Prema Racing (supported by Ferrari Formula 1 Team)
- Doriane Pin – Prema Racing (supported by Mercedes Formula 1 Team)
- Tina Hausmann – Prema Racing (supported by Aston Martin Formula 1 Team)
- Hamda Al Qubaisi – MP Motorsport (supported by Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Team)
- Amna Al Qubaisi – MP Motorsport (supported by RB Formula 1 Team)
- Emely de Heus – MP Motorsport
- Chloe Chambers – Campos Racing (supported by Haas Formula 1 Team)
- Carrie Schreiner – Campos Racing (supported by Sauber Formula 1 Team)
- Abbi Pulling – Rodin Motorsport (supported by Alpine Formula 1 Team)
- Lola Lovinfosse – Rodin Motorsport
- Jessica Edgar – Rodin Motorsport
Where to watch F1 Academy
Despite many fans being eager to follow the F1 Academy race calendar, broadcasting of F1 Academy races has previously been limited.
Throughout the 2023 season, F1 Academy uploaded select race recaps, behind-the-scenes, and full race footage of the 2023 F1 Academy season to the F1 TV website and YouTube.
Fortunately for fans, the 2024 F1 Academy will be even more accessible, with managing director Susie Wolff confirming the expansion of their official broadcasting partners to include 23 broadcasters airing the race to over 160 countries.
For fans in Australia, you can catch all the F1 Academy action live on Fox Sports through Foxtel and Foxtel Now.
Stream F1 Academy now on Foxtel Now with a month-to-month no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
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