What is F1 Academy?

The 100% female category is a Formula 1 project to encourage and support female drivers

Motor racing is one of the sports with the least gender inclusion today. One of the most common questions from those who are just starting to follow the sport is "why aren't there any female drivers in Formula 1?" The answer to this question is long, and it clashes with a sexist global culture that is resistant to women in sports, which are considered masculine.

According to the organization More Than Equal, only 13% of kart drivers worldwide are women. In Brazil, the number is even worse: only 3% of all professional drivers in the country are women, according to a survey by the Brazilian Automobile Confederation (CBA).

To effectively change access to the sport, there needs to be an incentive, starting from the base of motorsport. In 2022, the WSeries was the women's category that supported F1 on the calendar, but it only lasted three seasons, as last year it had to end the championship with a few rounds left due to lack of financial support.

The differences between the WSeries and the F1 Academy are several, but mainly in the support plan for the drivers who have reached the category and some still in the base, such as karting. In addition, with the sponsorship of Formula 1 itself, it is unlikely that it will have the same purpose as the WSeries.

The F1 Academy had its first season in 2023, with only the final stage of the championship following Formula 1. It was then announced that in 2024 the calendar will follow F1, which is very important for a youth category as it can take advantage of the structure and bring more visibility to the drivers.

How does F1 Academy work?

Marta García is the 2023 F1 Academy champion

The F1 Academy currently has 5 teams with 3 drivers. The athletes must be no older than 25 at the start of the season. The season champion cannot race in the F1 Academy the following year, but the category invests in the career of the champion driver so that she can advance to other junior categories.

During the GP weekend, the F1 Academy has three races, two of which are held on Saturday and the last on Sunday. There are two qualifying sessions and two free practice sessions.

The first classification is to determine the grid for race 1, the second classification takes place on Saturday and defines the starting order for race 3 on Sunday.

The difference in race 2 lies in the inversion of the grid in relation to the classification obtained in the first qualifying session on Saturday. This means that drivers who did not perform as well in the first race have the opportunity to start at the front in the second race. The grid is inverted from 8th classification onwards.

In terms of duration, races 1 and 3 are longer, lasting 30 minutes and one lap. Race 2 is shorter, lasting just 20 minutes + one lap.

Points are awarded in the traditional F1 style, with the longer races awarding points up to tenth place, while the shorter race only awards points up to eighth place. In addition, two points are awarded to drivers who take pole position. An extra point is awarded to the driver who sets the fastest lap.