Marta Garcia is expected to make the step up to FRECA in 2024, continuing her collaboration with the PREMA team.
The final races of the 2023 F1 Academy season were broadcast last weekend in COTA – after months of fans demanding a chance to watch the action. Despite limited access for most of this year’s campaign, Marta Garcia’s victory in the inaugural F1 Academy Championship was there for all to see.
Garcia’s performances in 2023 have been highly impressive, taking seven victories on her way to the title. Speed and consistency were the recipe for her success, with the Spanish driver finishing the season 56 points clear of her nearest rival.
However, with the season now complete, the question is where Garcia will race next season. After all, the core mission of F1 Academy is to facilitate the progression of young talents into Formula 3 and other categories.
F1 Academy must support its Champions
This was a significant issue with the W Series, which saw Jamie Chadwick claim several Championships without taking a step up the feeder series ladder. The involvement of every F1 team in next year’s edition of F1 Academy will help to address this issue.
Each team must sign one F1 Academy driver to their junior programmes next season, giving these talented female athletes a more direct route to progress in motorsport.
Not only is this a necessary step to link the new series with Formula 1, but it also provides more opportunities in motorsport more broadly.
Garcia set for 2024 FRECA drive
Returning specifically to Marta Garcia, it is understood that she will race in FRECA next season with PREMA, according to Spanish media outlet SoyMotor. This is one of the best Championships to prepare drivers for Formula 3, featuring many of the most promising young talents.
Kimi Antonelli secured this year’s FRECA crown and has been confirmed on next year’s Formula 2 grid. This is not to say Garcia will follow an identical path, but it emphasises the value of this opportunity.
For F1 Academy to be viable, it must support its winners in their racing careers. Hopefully, the 23-year-old Spaniard will benefit from claiming the title in such impressive fashion.
