What Is F1 Academy? Everything You Need to Know Ahead of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix
F1 Academy is an all-female racing series designed to develop the next generation of women in motorsport and it’s hitting the track during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, May 2–4, 2025.
This exciting series showcases top young talent from around the world, all competing in identical race cars, and is fully backed by Formula One. With the sport’s growing popularity in the U.S., especially among younger and more diverse fans, the F1 Academy represents a major push toward inclusion and opportunity in motorsport.
If you’re new to Formula 1 or just getting into racing, you might be wondering what F1 Academy is all about. In simple terms, it’s a racing championship created exclusively for women, helping talented drivers make the leap from karting to more competitive series like Formula 3, Formula 2, and eventually F1 itself.
F1 Academy isn’t about flashy tech differences between cars, every driver races with the same car model: a Formula 4-spec Tatuus chassis powered by a 174-horsepower turbocharged engine. It’s a level playing field where skill and strategy make all the difference.
🏁 Fast Facts about F1 Academy
- Founded: 2023 by Formula One Group
- Racing Format: Two races per weekend; reverse grid format recently added for more drama
- Driver Ages: 16–25 years old
- Cars: Identical F4-level cars, developed by Tatuus with Pirelli tires
- Teams: Six teams including big names like Prema Racing, ART Grand Prix, and Rodin Motorsport
- Support from F1: Each Formula 1 team now backs one F1 Academy driver look out for those familiar liveries!
🎬 Netflix, Celebs, and the Spotlight
Hollywood has taken notice too. Reese Witherspoon’s media company, Hello Sunshine, is producing a behind-the-scenes docuseries about F1 Academy set to hit Netflix in 2025. Think Drive to Survive, but with a fresh twist.
🏆 Who’s Winning?
- 2023 Champion: Marta García (Prema Racing)
- 2024 Champion: Abbi Pulling (Rodin Motorsport)
- Team Champions (Both Years): Prema Racing
These drivers are now progressing into higher racing tiers—Abbi Pulling earned a fully funded seat in the GB3 Championship for 2025, continuing her journey up the motorsport ladder.
🇺🇸 F1 Academy at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix
The Miami Grand Prix will host an F1 Academy round for the second year in a row. With the series now running exclusively on F1 weekends, fans at the track and those watching from home can see the rising stars of racing in action alongside Formula 1, Formula 2, and more.
🌍 Why F1 Academy Matters for the Future of Racing
F1 Academy is more than just a feeder series, it’s a powerful statement about where motorsport is headed. By giving talented female drivers the structure, exposure, and financial support they’ve historically lacked, the series is helping break down long-standing barriers in racing.
In a sport where less than 2% of licensed drivers are women, F1 Academy is helping to level the playing field. Every race, every podium finish, and every breakthrough moment sends a message to young girls watching around the world: You belong here too.
This initiative is part of Formula 1’s larger commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion something the sport has been actively working on through its #WeRaceAsOne campaign and other outreach efforts.
With high-profile backing from F1 teams and the visibility of events like the Miami Grand Prix, F1 Academy is not just creating future champions it’s reshaping the sport’s culture from the ground up.
📚 Learn More: Official F1 Academy Resources
Want to go deeper into F1 Academy? Here are some official sources and useful links:
- Official F1 Academy Website – See race schedules, driver lineups, news, and standings
- Formula 1 Website – Explore F1 Academy coverage, race weekend details, and team partnerships
- F1 Academy on Instagram – Follow for behind-the-scenes content, driver updates, and more
