 | |
| Category | Single-seater |
|---|---|
| Country | International |
| Inaugural season | 2023 |
| Drivers | List |
| Chassis suppliers | Tatuus |
| Engine suppliers | Autotecnica Motori |
| Tyre suppliers | Pirelli |
| Drivers' champion |  Doriane Pin |
| Teams' champion |  Prema Racing |
| Official website | f1academy.com |
 Current season | |
F1 Academy is a female-only, Formula 4–level single-seater racing championship founded by the Formula One Group. The championship is a spec series, meaning that all teams compete with an identical Tatuus F4-T421 chassis and tyre compounds developed by Pirelli. Each car is powered by a 174-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine developed by Autotecnica Motori.
F1 Academy held its inaugural season in 2023 and was won by Marta García. The 2024 drivers' championship was won by Rodin Motorsport's Abbi Pulling whilst Prema Racing retained the team's championship for 2024. 2025 saw Doriane Pin claim the title as Prema held the team's championship for the third year straight.
History
The championship traces its roots back to 2004, when Formula Woman was established due to the lack of female drivers in other series. In 2019, the W Series was created for the same reason and was held for over three seasons, and the planned 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] However, after the 2022 season, the series was battling financial issues and was put into administration and liquidated.[2][3] On 18 November 2022, Formula One announced the creation of F1 Academy, a racing series for women aiming to focus on developing and preparing young drivers to progress to higher levels of competition. It was created to help smooth the transition from karting to the single-seater ladder.[4] On 1 March 2023, Susie Wolff was appointed the managing director for the series.[5]
The five teams that participated in the series in the first two seasons are ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, Rodin Motorsport, MP Motorsport and Prema Racing.[6][7] Hitech Grand Prix joined the series in 2025 as the sixth team with two full-time drivers. Hitech will also take over Prema's 2024 role of running wild card entries as the team's third driver entry.[8]
The inaugural season in 2023 was controversially not broadcast[9] with the exception of the season finale, which supported the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.[10] Every race of the second season was then broadcast with live viewing available from a total of 23 broadcasters in more than 160 international territories. Formula E presenter Nicki Shields became the lead commentator for the season with Alex Brundle and Jordan King joining her as co-commentators.[11] This continued into the third season.[12]
For the 2023 season, Formula One subsidised the cost of each car with drivers having to contribute €150,000.[4] This was reduced to €100,000 for the 2024 season.[13] Also for 2024 onwards, all the Formula One teams will support one driver each who carries the team's livery on their car. The remaining drivers, including the wild card entries that was introduced in the same year,[14] are supported by the series' partners.[7]
On 3 May 2023, it was announced that Reese Witherspoon's production company, Hello Sunshine, would be creating a docuseries about F1 Academy.[15] On 3 May 2024, exactly one year later, it was announced that the show would be available to stream on Netflix in 2025.[16] F1: The Academy was released to Netflix on 28 May 2025.[17][18]
Championship format
The 2023 season consisted of seven event weekends with three races each, for a total of 21 races, plus fifteen days of official testing. Each race weekend included two 30-minute races, and one 20-minute reverse-grid race, where the top 8 drivers from qualifying had their starting positions reversed. The final of the seven events was a Formula One support race during the United States Grand Prix.[4][19][20]
On 31 March 2023, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali announced that the 2024 season would take place exclusively on select Formula One weekends, joining Formula 2, Formula 3 and the Porsche Supercup as part of the support bill.[21] This required a change to the race weekend format, reducing the number of races to two by removing the 20-minute reverse-grid race.[22] The 2024 season also saw the addition of FIA Super Licence points and wild card entries. The top five drivers in the championship earn points towards an FIA Super Licence, with 10 for the champion, 7 for the runner-up, 5 for third-place, 3 for fourth, and 1 for fifth. Wild card entries will be introduced at specific rounds in order to promote and strengthen the talent pool in the areas where the series races. The wild card drivers are eligible to score points in the drivers' standings.[23]
For the 2025 season, the weekend format changed with the first race becoming a reverse-grid race. This change put the series' format more in line with Formula 2 and Formula 3.[24]
Progression
F1 Academy drivers must be between the ages of 16 and 25, and cannot race for more than two seasons in the series.[25] From the 2027 season onwards, drivers who had participated in two seasons may be granted an exemption to enter for a third season if it is thought to be beneficial for their development. The driver has to enter the 2026 season as their second season to qualify for the exemption.[26][27][28]
Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) has guaranteed a fourth entry to any team that signs a driver who finished in the top three in the F1 Academy standings.[13] 2023 drivers' champion Marta García received a fully funded seat in the 2024 championship courtesy of F1 Academy, Prema Racing, Tatuus and Pirelli. FRECA is not the only option for progression as the series announced that "each season F1 Academy will work in close collaboration with the F1 Academy teams to support its winner in progressing up the motorsport ladder."[13] 2024 drivers' champion Abbi Pulling received a fully funded seat with Rodin Motorsport for the 2025 season of GB3 Championship.[29] For 2025, drivers' champion runner-up Maya Weug received a fully funded opportunity by F1 Academy to test a Ferrari 296 GT3 with AF Corse.[30]
F1 Academy has been credited with increasing female participation in kart racing, where it supported nine drivers in the Champions of the Future Academy Program (COTFA) until 2025,[31] later increasing to 27 across national and international competition for 2026.[32] In 2024, with her victory in the OK-N class of COTFA, Luna Fluxá became the fifth woman in history to win a major senior international karting title,[note 1] and the first in a global championship since Susanna Raganelli in 1966.[40]
Cars
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F1 Academy cars are built on the Tatuus F4-T421 chassis used in Formula 4 championships globally since 2022, although modified front and rear wings make the aero package unique.[41] The tyres are provided by Formula One partner Pirelli. The engine is supplied by Autotecnica Motori, a Tatuus subsidiary,[42] and consists of a 1.4-litre turbocharged 4 cylinder, capable of delivering 130 kW (174 hp) at 5500 rpm.[43]
Champions
Drivers
| Season | Driver | Team | Poles | Wins | Podiums | Fastest laps | Points | Clinched | Margin | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |  Marta García
|
Prema Racing
|
5 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 278 | Race 19 of 21 | 56 | [44] |
| 2024 |  Abbi Pulling
|
 Rodin Motorsport
|
10 | 9 | 14 | 6 | 338 | Race 12 of 14 | 123 | [45] |
| 2025 | Doriane Pin
|
Prema Racing
|
0 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 172 | Race 14 of 14 | 15 | [46] |
Teams
| Season | Team | Poles | Wins | Podiums | Fastest laps | Points | Margin | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Prema Racing
|
5 | 9 | 16 | 7 | 419 | 8 | [47] |
| 2024 | Prema Racing (2)
|
5 | 4 | 16 | 5 | 423 | 30 | [45] |
| 2025 | Prema Racing (3)
|
0 | 5 | 12 | 8 | 296 | 60 | [46] |
Circuits
- Bold denotes a circuit will be used in the 2026 season.
| Number | Circuits | Rounds | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Circuit Zandvoort
|
3 | 2023–present |
| 2 | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
|
2 | 2023–2024 |
 Jeddah Corniche Circuit
|
2024–present | ||
 Miami International Autodrome
|
2024–2025 | ||
 Marina Bay Street Circuit
|
2024–2025 | ||
| 6 |  Red Bull Ring
|
1 | 2023 |
| Circuito Ricardo Tormo
|
2023 | ||
| Monza Circuit
|
2023 | ||
| Circuit Paul Ricard
|
2023 | ||
| Circuit of the Americas
|
2023, 2026 | ||
 Lusail International Circuit
|
2024 | ||
 Yas Marina Circuit
|
2024 | ||
 Shanghai International Circuit
|
2025–present | ||
 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
|
2025–present | ||
| Las Vegas Strip Circuit
|
2025–present | ||
| 16 | Silverstone Circuit
|
0 | 2026 |
Notes
- ^ Luna Fluxá became the fifth woman in history to win a major senior international karting title, after:
- Susanna Raganelli, World Championship, 1966;[33]
- Cathy Muller, European Championship, 100 cc, 1979;[34]
- Sophie Kumpen, Andrea Margutti Trophy, FA, 1995;[35]
- Beitske Visser, WSK Master Series, KZ2, 2010[36]
References
- ^ Baldwin, Alan (4 June 2020). "Motor racing: W Series cancels 2020 season due to pandemic". Sports. Reuters. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ Saunders, Nate (15 June 2023). "W Series enters administration". ESPN. The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Communications. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ Coleman, Madeline (25 January 2024). "Debut season behind it, F1 Academy strives to become more than a racing series". The Athletic. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "F1 Academy: Formula 1 announces F1 Academy, a new all-female driver series for 2023". Formula 1. Formula One Group. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ Kew, Matt (March 2023). "Susie Wolff appointed managing director of F1 Academy". Autosport.com. Motorsport Network. ISSN 0269-946X. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "F1 Academy announces the five teams entering 2023-2025 seasons". Formula 1. Formula One Group. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ a b "F1 Academy: All 10 F1 teams to have drivers and liveries for 2024 season in all-female single-seater series". Sky Sports F1. Sky Sports. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "F1 Academy expands grid to 18 cars from 2025". F1 Academy. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ Mee, Lydia (1 May 2023). "FIA Under Fire After F1 Academy Fails To Be Broadcasted: "Extremely Disappointing"". F1 on SI. Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ "F1 Academy finale to be broadcast live in over 100 international territories". F1 Academy. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ "2024 season of F1 ACADEMY™ to be broadcast in over 160 territories and streamed live globally". F1 Academy. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ "Where To Watch Us". F1 Academy. Archived from the original on 24 March 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "F1 Academy Champion Marta Garcia to receive FRECA seat". Formula 1. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ "F1 ACADEMY drivers to get super licence points and wild card entries introduced for 2024 season". Formula 1. 5 February 2024. Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Weprin, Alex (3 May 2023). "Hello Sunshine, Formula 1 Developing F1 Academy Docuseries (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ Carson, Lexi (3 May 2024). "Hello Sunshine's F1 Academy Docuseries on Female Drivers Lands at Netflix (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ Blackstock, Elizabeth (27 May 2025). "'F1: The Academy' shoots for the stars but misses the mark". PlanetF1. Planet Sport. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ Selleck, Emily (5 June 2025). "Netflix's 'F1: The Academy' has all the right ingredients, but doesn't quite stick the landing". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ Elliott, Hannah (9 January 2023). "F1 Want Women in the Cockpit for First Time Since 1976". Bloomberg News. Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "F1 Academy announces 2023 calendar and race weekend format". Formula 1. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "F1 Academy: All-female racing series to feature exclusively at Formula 1 weekends in 2024". Sky Sports. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- ^ Series, Feeder (18 February 2024). "F1 Academy weekends cut to two races in format overhaul". Feeder Series. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ "F1 ACADEMY drivers to get super licence points". Formula One. Formula One Group. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ "F1 Academy Announces Exciting Feature Return For 2025". F1 On SI. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ "Rules and Regulations". F1 Academy. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
F1 ACADEMY is a one-make racing series consisting of 15 identical cars, or 16 when Wild Card entry is present. All drivers must be women and be 25 years of age or younger, and 16 years of age or older when entering their first race event of the season. Additionally, all drivers may only compete in two seasons of the series.
- ^ Benson, Andrew (13 November 2025). "F1 teams agree to extend commitment to back F1 Academy series beyond 2025". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ Mee, Lydia (13 November 2025). "F1 Academy announces major 2027 change and multi-year partnership extension with F1 teams". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ Feeder Series [@feeder_series] (13 November 2025). "Feeder Series understands this exemption can only be given to drivers whose second season is 2026, so no driver having competed in two seasons prior to this will be eligible.#F1Academy" (Tweet). Retrieved 13 November 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ "2024 F1 ACADEMY champion to receive fully funded 2025 seat". Formula 1. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "F1 Academy Vice-Champion Maya Weug earns funded GT3 test with AF Corse". RACERS. 6 December 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ Clancy, Rebecca (20 March 2025). "The battle Susie Wolff refuses to give up on". Autosport. Motorsport Network. ISSN 0269-946X. Archived from the original on 20 March 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ "F1 Academy expands support for Champions of The Future Academy for 2026". Formula 1. Formula One Group. 24 October 2025. Archived from the original on 13 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ "Susanna Raganelli | Female kart driver and a World Champion!". TKART. 8 November 2019. Archived from the original on 24 April 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ Gascoigne, Roger (30 September 2024). "Podcast: Cathy Muller on her landmark F3 win and defying disbelief". Formula Scout. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "The 36th Andrea Margutti Trophy in Lonato". Vroomkart. 19 March 2025. ISSN 1724-9147. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Wood, Ida (19 July 2019). "Beitske Visser: The ex-Red Bull junior aiming for the W Series title". Formula Scout. Archived from the original on 22 May 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "1999 | History". FIA Karting. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Archived from the original on 14 April 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ Mancebo, Adrián (14 September 2015). "Marta García entra en la historia del karting" [Marta García enters the history of karting]. Auto Bild (in Spanish). Axel Springer SE. ISSN 0930-7095. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Puhakka, Garcia and Michelotto win the 2015 Trofeo delle Industrie". Vroomkart. 26 October 2015. ISSN 1724-9147. Archived from the original on 29 May 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ Ostler, Simon (6 December 2024). "The FIA crowns its first female international champion since 1966". Goodwood Road & Racing. Goodwood House. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ Coleman, Madeline. "Built with intention: F1 Academy's car was chosen with the series' goals in mind". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "Tatuus, owned by Wise Sgr, and Autotecnica Motori join forces to create the 'Italian Motorsport Excellences' hub" (PDF) (Press release). Milan: Wise SGR SpA. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ "The Car and Engine". F1 Academy. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "F1A Motorsport Stats". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ a b "F1 Academy Statistics and Results | Motorsport Stats". motorsportstats.com. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ a b "F1 Academy Standings 2025". motorsportstats.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "Prema Racing Statistics and Results | Motorsport Stats". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
