Formula One’s F1 Academy series for female drivers is set to rev its engines in Saudi Arabia next year, marking the beginning of an ambitious seven-round calendar for its second season. This announcement is part of a broader initiative to enhance the series’ visibility and inspire young girls and women worldwide to embrace motorsport.
Saudi Arabia, which notably lifted its ban on women driving in 2018, will host the inaugural event in March 2024. This race will be followed by stops in Miami (May), Spain, the Netherlands, Singapore, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. Notably, for the first time, all F1 Academy events will be held as support races for the main F1 championship, adding a new dimension to the series.
In its inaugural season, the F1 Academy series had only one of its six events serving as a support race for an F1 event, with the current season’s finale at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. Spanish driver Marta Garcia currently leads the standings, with three races left in the current season.
The expanded schedule and the inclusion of more F1 championship weekends on its calendar highlight the F1 Academy’s commitment to becoming a truly global series. Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy, expressed their mission to inspire young girls and women worldwide and emphasize that there is a place for them in motorsport.
The F1 Academy series, aimed at nurturing and showcasing female driving talent, is gaining momentum as it heads into its second season. With a diverse and exciting lineup of races across the globe, the series is sure to capture the attention of racing enthusiasts and aspiring female drivers alike.
