F1 launches a new all-female series for 2023: the F1 Academy!

From the Formula 4 level, this championship will come to life in 2023 for its first edition. Five teams will each present three cars, bringing a total of 15 drivers on the grid. The drivers will compete in 7 rounds consisting of three races, and the teams will come from Formula 2 and 3. The F1 Academy will use a Tatuus T421 chassis (already seen in Formula 4), the 165-horsepower engine will be provided by Autotecnica, and the tires by Pirelli. Leading this competition will be Bruno Michel, the current director of Formula Motorsport Ltd overseeing Formula 2 and 3.

The objective is obviously to increase the representation of women on the track and on the starting grids in order to lead them to the most prestigious competition: the Formula 1 World Championship.

A press release from F1 explains the reasons behind the creation of this F1 Academy.

During the evaluation of the obstacles encountered by young female drivers in accessing the F1 pyramid, it has become clear that they do not have the same experience as their male counterparts of the same age.

The objective is to address this gap and provide them with access to more track time, races, and tests. They will also develop by working with professional teams, which are renowned in motorsport for taking care of young drivers, and who will assist them in developing crucial technical, physical, and mental preparations.

Regarding the budget aspect, the drivers of the F1 Academy will have to pay the amount of 150,000€ per season. This amount is justified because it represents a fraction of the usual costs of a comparable series, according to the Academy. For comparison, the F1 subsidizes each registration with a budget of the same amount.

The F1 Academy will not replace the W Series.

If the W Series, created in 2019, had (–) been forced to prematurely end its season due to financing issues, Formula 1 declares that this new championship is in no way intended to replace the W Series. According to F1, this new competition aims to develop and prepare young female drivers to progress towards higher levels of competition, including the W Series, Formula 3, Formula 2, and Formula 1.

The CEO and President of F1, Stefano Domenicali, has spoken on this matter. He stated that:

Everyone should have the opportunity to follow their dreams and unleash their potential, and Formula 1 wants to ensure that we do everything in our power to create greater diversity and pathways to this incredible sport.

This is why I am delighted to announce the creation of the F1 Academy, which will give young female drivers the best chance to pursue their ambitions through a comprehensive program that supports their racing career. The more opportunities, the better, and this program is designed to provide another pathway to success for drivers.