The world of motorsports has been traditionally male-dominated, but a new wave of change is happening. With the emergence of F1 Academy, women are now being allowed to break through the barriers and pave the way for future generations.
The specialised program aims to enhance the abilities of female racing enthusiasts and equip them with the necessary tools to pursue a career in professional motorsports. This initiative offers top-of-the-line resources and facilities to empower women to showcase their talents on the track and compete at the highest level.
As women continue their stride in motorsports, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this once male-dominated industry is evolving. The project is at the forefront of this positive shift, preparing women to thrive in this exciting sport. In this article, we’ll delve into how F1 Academy is opening doors for female racers in motorsports.
Starting Point
Commencing in 2023, F1 is establishing an academy intending to support female drivers from various youth categories to reach their potential. This initiative will create opportunities for advancement to higher-level championships such as W Series, F1, F2, and F3.
The F1 Academy will consist of fifteen drivers, each affiliated with one of the five existing teams in F2 and F3. The drivers will compete with three cars each, and F1 will cover the cost of the drivers and teams. The goal is to bridge the gap between young female drivers and their male counterparts by offering them more track time through races and tests. The project will also contribute to the drivers’ growth by improving their technical, physical, and mental skills.
The Academy’s inception occurred three years after the W Series’ introduction, a competition consisting of eight Grand Prix races where exclusively female pilots are selected based solely on their abilities. The teams have identical equipment with minor setup differences, similar to F3 and F2. Jamie Chadwick, a British driver, has won all editions of the W Series and aims to join F1 soon, despite Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicalli’s opposition. In addition to winning the British GT Championship and a 24-hour endurance race, Jamie is the youngest racer to achieve these feats outside of the W Series.
More Female Influence But…
Throughout the years, Formula 1 representatives have made a conscious effort to increase the representation of women. The female gender has gained significance in teams like Mercedes with Susie Wolff or Red Bull Racing, where their strategist Hannah Schmitz, played a crucial role in Max Verstappen’s two championships and Checo Pérez’s victory in the renowned Monaco GP. However, it’s surprising that since 1992, no woman has participated in an F1 race, with only Susie Wolff and Katherine Legge testing Williams and Minardi cars, respectively.
The question arises as to why there is a stark absence of women in motorsports, particularly in F1. The number of girls entering the world of karts, which serves as the beginning of the journey for young speed enthusiasts, is significantly lower than that of boys. As a result, talent scouts overlook their potential and doubt their ability to excel on the track. Contrary to other sports, racing participation costs of any category are excessively high, making it unaffordable for families to support their young ones’ aspirations of becoming the next Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso.
Long Way To Go
Sponsorships play a critical role in the career longevity of young talents. Unfortunately, many seem hesitant to invest in young women, resulting in their teams having only a quarter of the budget compared to others.
The global representation of licensed female professional pilots is a mere 1.5%, indicating a lack of interest in this field and further disadvantaging female pilots. Some argue that the strenuous physical demands of Formula 1, particularly the rigorous neck training to withstand G-forces, may also discourage female athletes from pursuing careers in this sport.
During an interview with the Guardian last year, Jamie Chadwick expressed uncertainty about the capabilities of women in sports. Although she hopes young women will achieve great things, she questions whether this is a feasible goal. Chadwick suggests that technical changes may be needed to facilitate progress.
Final Thoughts
Formula 1 is the ultimate goal for countless aspiring drivers worldwide who strive to make a name for themselves. However, only twenty skilled professionals make it to the main stage of global motorsport each year, while others opt for alternative competitions.
Even those who manage to secure a place in F1 must constantly prove themselves to maintain their position in the highly competitive field. Women face even more obstacles in this challenging arena. In the meantime, F1 Academy may help to achieve its goals in the long term since it is unlikely that will be accomplished solely by relying on the W Series’ existence.