SPORT Breaking Barriers: Everything You Need to Know about F1 ACADEMY™
5 min
Introducing F1 ACADEMY™, a pioneering initiative dedicated to fostering female drivers at the highest levels of motorsport. As the Official Partner and Timekeeper of F1 ACADEMY™, TAG Heuer is reinforcing its commitment to shaping the future of racing, ensuring that talent—not gender—determines success on the track.
What is F1 ACADEMY™?
Founded in 2022 and launched in 2023, F1 ACADEMY™ is an all-female single-seater racing series designed to identify, develop, and propel female drivers toward the pinnacle of motorsport. The series provides a structured platform, increasing accessibility to professional racing and creating a talent pipeline for higher levels of competition.
Under the leadership of former Formula 1® test driver Susie Wolff, F1 ACADEMY™ strives to build an ecosystem where female athletes receive top-tier mentorship, training, and exposure in the high-stakes world of motorsport.
Who are the Drivers?
The F1 ACADEMY™ grid is a who’s who of emerging talent, with drivers supported by some of the biggest names in motorsport. In the 2024 season, 15 young women represented teams backed by Formula 1® constructors, including Red Bull Racing, Mercedes-AMG Petronas, and Ferrari.
Among them, rising stars like Doriane Pin (Mercedes), Maya Weug (Ferrari), and Hamda Al Qubaisi (Red Bull Racing) made waves. During a season that featured races across seven Formula 1® weekends, these athletes competed under the global spotlight, proving that motorsport’s future is diverse, dynamic, and undeniably fast.
Who is behind the wheel of the F1 Academy™?
Susie Wolff was appointed Managing Director of the F1 ACADEMY™ in 2023. A racer at heart, she is a former professional racing driver and one of the most influential figures in motorsport. Today, Wolff aims to champion diversity and opportunity on and off the track. She explains: “We have a unique opportunity to fundamentally change our industry, driving female participation at every level of motorsport, both on and off the racetrack.”
What is the Road Ahead?
With a growing global audience, high-profile team affiliations, and TAG Heuer’s unwavering support, F1 ACADEMY™ is poised to revolutionize motorsport. Beyond its competitive aspect, the initiative sets the stage for long-term change, inspiring young girls to see racing as a viable career path—whether on the track, in engineering, or in team management.
As F1 ACADEMY™ gains momentum, one thing is clear: the race for equality is well underway. And with TAG Heuer’s precision timing guiding every lap, the future of motorsport has never looked more promising.
