In motorsport’s quest to break barriers and increase female participation, two initiatives have stood out in recent years: F1 Academy and the short-lived W Series.
F1 Academy Emerges as a More Impactful Platform
While it is important to note that there is still work to be done with the championship, here is why F1 Academy is a success compared to the W Series.
Learning from the W Series
The W Series, which launched in 2019, was a groundbreaking concept. It was an all-female racing series designed to showcase female talent and offer financial support to drivers.
Notable figures such as Jamie Chadwick, the three-time W Series champion, and Naomi Schiff, a Sky Sports presenter, emerged, putting a spotlight on female racers.
However, the series faced challenges that ultimately led to its bankruptcy in 2022.
The financial structure of the W Series proved unsustainable, and it struggled to establish a clear progression pathway for its drivers. Many competitors also found it difficult to move into higher categories of motorsport, which raised questions about the series’ purpose.
Critics further viewed the segregation of female drivers as a regressive step, arguing that it placed women in a separate system rather than integrating them into the broader motorsport ecosystem. It is too early to tell if F1 Academy will succumb to this fate.
With several differences between the series, it is important to see the value in offering women space to gain track experience and form connections with those who will see them progress along the motorsport ladder.
F1 Academy: Integration and Progression
F1 Academy launched in 2023 led by retired driver Susie Wolff. The championship addressed many of the limitations that plagued the W Series.
By securing support from F1 teams, F1 Academy has created a pathway for female drivers to climb the motorsport ladder. Each team supports a driver as part of their respective Academy, providing them access to vital resources, including funding, testing opportunities, and mentorship.
Chadwick highlighted the importance of such support in an interview with BlackBook Motorsport:
“F1 Academy being fully part of the F1 package, having the teams involved, made such a big difference. Their investment into the young drivers is going to rapidly impact their development.”
Elsewhere, the series reduced costs significantly, requiring drivers to contribute €100,000, less than the budgets typically demanded in other Formula 4 championships.
READ MORE: What Will The 2024 F1 Academy Champion Receive in 2025?
Grassroots Investment and Karting Pathways
F1 Academy’s influence extends far beyond racing. It is reshaping motorsport by increasing female participation at the grassroots level.
In an interview with Goodwood, Wolff cited a “wave of impact” felt. Thanks to an increased visibility of women in a male-dominated field, there has been a notable increase in young girls taking up the sport.
Initiatives such as the Discover Your Drive karting programme have encouraged a significant increase in female participation at the entry-level.
Working alongside Motorsport UK, there was a 400% increase in female karting drivers making it to the British Indoor Karting Championship finals, a surge largely attributed to the visibility and opportunities created by the F1 Academy.
Four of these five female finalists were graduates of the Discover Your Drive programme.
F1 Academy Discover Your Drive in action 🌟
From welcoming teachers from local schools in to the Abu Dhabi paddock – including Hamda and Amna Al Qubaisi’s former teacher – to hosting a workshop for the Champions Of The Future Academy Programme drivers and empowering interns… pic.twitter.com/7JNpgeHvbA
— F1 Academy (@f1academy) December 13, 2024
Young talent, such as 14-year-old Luna Fluxa, has already begun to emerge through these initiatives.
Supported by Mercedes and the Iron Dames programme, Fluxa has dominated her class in karting championships and appears set to make a seamless transition to single-seaters in the coming years.
This strong pipeline from grassroots karting to professional racing highlights the F1 Academy’s commitment to creating a sustainable foundation for future talent.
Chadwick echoed Wolff’s sentiment via BlackBook Motorsport, emphasising the importance of early engagement: “If you create an environment where young girls feel comfortable, it acts as a domino effect. Once you’re involved in the sport, it’s easier to find your way through it.”
All 6 rounds of the 2025 Champions of the Future Academy Program have been locked in! 💪
Mark your calendars and join us as we follow our F1 Academy Discover Your Drive competitors during their upcoming season 👀
🗓️ Find dates and further competition info here:… pic.twitter.com/hGO2EBORKT
— F1 Academy (@f1academy) January 22, 2025
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Champion Progression and Continued Support
However, F1 Academy’s ability to develop and promote its champions will determine its long-term success.
Marta García, the inaugural champion in 2023, secured a funded seat in the Formula Regional European Championship for 2024. However, her progress stalled due to limited testing and a lack of additional support, raising concerns about the series’ ability to sustain its champions as they move up the ladder.
In 2024, the F1 Academy shifted its focus to the GB3 Championship, awarding champion Abbi Pulling a seat with Rodin Motorsport. This move, paired with 20 days of funded testing, promises to provide a more structured pathway for future champions.
This focus could become stale. Alongside Pulling, Bianca Bustamante will drive in the GB3 Championship for Elite Motorsport. She graduated from F1 Academy in 2024, after achieving back-to-back seventh-place finishes in the Drivers’ Standings.
She scored two wins and a further two podiums in 2023, whilst her 2024 campaign saw her achieve a best finish of P2 in Miami Race 2.
Should the F1 Academy champion and the seventh-placed driver be moving onto the same championship in 2025? It is hard to give a definitive answer, but this does not mean the decision did not raise eyebrows online.
Nonetheless, the series must ensure its support extends beyond a single season to prevent its drivers from losing momentum, as seen in Marta García’s case.
Media Exposure and Cultural Impact
F1 Academy has additionally revolutionised the way female drivers are marketed. The series has gained extensive media coverage, with races broadcast on TV stations such as Sky Sports and F1TV. The series also has a strong presence on social media platforms where they livestream the races on X and YouTube.
Sponsorships with brands such as Charlotte Tilbury and Tommy Hilfiger have also heightened exposure.
Fans can also look out for a Netflic docuseries about F1 Academy – in the vein of Drive to Survive – set for release in 2025. Produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, the docuseries promises to engage younger fans and amplify the series’ cultural impact.
A Clear Vision for the Future
The F1 Academy has succeeded in addressing many of the issues that hindered the W Series. By focusing on integration with Formula 1, reducing costs, and encouraging grassroots participation, it has established itself as a vital part of motorsport’s development structure.
However, the series must address its remaining challenges, particularly the need for more track time, a focus on permanent circuits, and sustained support for its champions. Lowering the average age of its grid to align with other F4 championships will also strengthen its credibility as a developmental series.
Susie Wolff has described the F1 Academy as a long-term project, and early signs suggest it is on the right track. While the dream of seeing a female driver compete in F1 remains a distant goal, the F1 Academy is laying the foundations for a more inclusive future in motorsport.
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Credit: IMAGO / Eibner
Recording Date: 05/06/2023
