Introducing F1 Academy

Launching in 2023, the F1 Academy is an all-female driver category, which aims to help develop and prepare young female drivers to progress to higher levels of competition – including Formula 3, Formula 2 and Formula 1.

Five strong and experienced teams currently racing in F2 and F3 will field three cars each, completing a 15-car grid. Featuring seven events consisting of three races each, the inaugural season will total 21 races, alongside 15 days of official testing. The 2023 calendar will be revealed in due course and is likely to include one Formula 1 race weekend.

The drivers will be getting behind the wheel of the Tatuus T421 chassis, powered by a turbo charged engine. Supplied by Autotecnica, these engines will deliver 165 horsepower, whilst Pirelli will provide the tyres – as they do in F3, F2 and F1. The series will be managed by Bruno Michel, the CEO of Formula Motorsport Limited.

Each car will be subsidised with a budget of €150,000 (totalling €2.25) by Formula 1. Drivers will be required to cover the same amount – representing a fraction of the usual costs in a comparable series, whilst the rest of the budget will be covered by the teams.

Seeking to maximise the opportunity and potential of young women drivers to reach the highest level in motorsport, the F1 Academy will provide young talent currently in go-karting or other junior categories with access to the fundamental level of experience needed before making the step-up to F3 and joining the pyramid to Formula 1.

After assessing the barriers young women drivers face with entering the F1 pyramid, it became clear that they do not have the same amount of experience as their male counterparts at the same age.

Our goal is to fill that gap – offering them access to more track time, racing and testing. By working with professional teams who are renowned in motorsport for nurturing young drivers, the F1 Academy drivers will grow in an environment which will help them develop the crucial technical, physical and mental preparations needed to advance in their careers.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to follow their dreams and achieve their potential and Formula 1 wants to ensure we are doing everything we can to create greater diversity and routes into this incredible sport,” said Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.

“That is why I am delighted to announce the F1 Academy that will give young female drivers the best chance to fulfil their ambitions through a comprehensive programme that supports their racing careers and gives them everything they need to move into F3 and hopefully to F2 and then the pinnacle of Formula 1. The more opportunity there is the better and this is designed to provide another route for the drivers to succeed.”

Ellen Jones, Head of Sustainability at Formula 1, added: “In 2019 we launched our sustainability strategy which included the commitment to build a more diverse and inclusive sport by removing barriers, nurturing talent, and inspiring change. Over the past few years, we have been making progress within our own operations and in the classroom through programmes such as internships and F1 Engineering Scholarships. Today’s announcement marks the next step in inspiring talent behind the visor to help ensure young female drivers get the very best opportunity to begin their professional motorsport career and climb the ladder to the top.

“I am very excited to launch this new category. Diversity is extremely important in motorsport, and with the F1 Academy we will prove that female drivers have what it takes to compete at high levels,” said Bruno Michel, General Manager of the F1 Academy.

“I am absolutely convinced that if young women are given the same amount of experience as any other driver, they can successfully make their way through the pyramid. Our goal is to see female drivers on the F3 grid in the next two to three years, and for them to quickly challenge for points and podiums. The aim is to increase the field in the near future, because we hope that this category will inspire more young girls to compete in motorsport at the highest of levels.”