Revolution in Formula 1: F1 Academy becomes the junior racing series for women

Created: 11/19/2022 3:51 p.m

By: Lena Hempler

With the "W Series" there is already an international automobile racing series for women.

Now Formula 1 is moving up with the "F1 Academy".

The aim is to promote more young female drivers in motorsport.

Munich – It's been a long time since women were involved in Formula 1.

Maria Teresa de Filippis competed in five Grands Prix in the 1950s and Lella Lombardi competed in 12 races in the mid-1970s.

Lombardi is also the only woman to have scored points in Formula 1 so far.

But that is about to change now!

First F1 Academy and then entering Formula 3?

Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali thinks it is important to give a certain amount of support: "Everyone should have the opportunity to follow their dreams and realize their potential.

Formula 1 wants to make sure we do everything we can to create more diversity and pathways into this incredible sport!”

The F1 Academy aims to develop and prepare young female drivers for the higher levels of competition.

It doesn't matter whether it's W Series, Formula 3, Formula 2 or Formula 1. The F1 Academy is scheduled to start next year and will initially consist of five teams with three cars each, so a total of 15 young drivers will be supported.

So far, 21 races are planned over seven weekends.

The only requirement is that the drivers themselves bring 150,000 euros with them - in motorsport that's a comparatively small sum.

With the "W Series", a women's motorsport series has already been launched, and now the FIA ​​is also getting involved.

© Eibner/imago

World champion Sebastian Vettel has been campaigning for women for years!

Sebastian Vettel has been commenting on women in Formula 1 and equality for years.

As early as the summer of 2022, he criticized Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali because he thought it was unlikely to see a woman in Formula 1 in the near future.

Vettel stressed that he saw no reason why no women should drive in Formula 1.

But he's not the only one who campaigns for women, Lewis Hamilton is also already campaigning for more women in motorsport.

All German Formula 1 Grand Prix winners

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With the W Series, there is already an all-female racing series, but in October 2022 it had to be canceled prematurely for financial reasons.

The last races in the USA and Mexico could no longer be held.

Domenicali also hinted that female driver development needs to start much earlier than the W Series does - so the F1 Academy should be the place to do just that!