Formula 1 will look to boost its female driving cohort through a new F1 Academy launched last week.
Beginning in 2023, the five-team F1 Academy will consist of three cars totalling a grid of 15. The car of choice will be the Tatuus T421 chassis which delivers 165 horsepower from a Autotecnica engine with Pirelli tyres.
The aim of the academy is to encourage further participation of women in racing, with the idea being racers will advance into higher levels of competition including Formula 3, Formula 2, W Series and Formula 1.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to follow their dreams and achieve their potential and Formula 1 wants to ensure we are doing everything we can to create greater diversity and routes into this incredible sport,” Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said.
“That is why I am delighted to announce the F1 Academy that will give young female drivers the best chance to fulfil their ambitions through a comprehensive programme that supports their racing careers and gives them everything they need to move into F3 and hopefully F2 and then the pinnace of F1.”
Mixing it up
Formula 1 will subsidise each car up to $230,000 AUD (total of $3.4 million AUD), and will require drivers to match that amount.
F1 Academy General Manager Bruno Michel said diversity was extremely important to motorsport, and the academy will prove female drivers can compete at the highest of levels.
“I am absolutely convinced that if young women are given the same amount of experience as any other driver, they can successfully make their way through the pyramid,” he said.
“Our goal is to see female drivers on the F3 grid in the next two to three years, and for them to quickly challenge for points and podiums.”