F1 Academy isn't just another feeder series — it's a revolution. Launched in 2023 by Formula 1, this all-female championship was built to address the glaring gender gap in motorsport head-on. Unlike anything that came before, F1 Academy provides a structured, funded pathway for young women to climb from karting all the way to the pinnacle of motorsport.
Based in the United Kingdom with rounds across Europe and beyond, the series uses the Tatuus T421 chassis — the same car used in Formula 4 — powered by a 1.4L turbocharged engine producing around 180 bhp. But the numbers only tell half the story. The real impact? Cultural shift. For the first time, young girls can look at a grid of female drivers and think: "That could be me."
🔥 Exclusive insight: PlayF1Game spoke with 3 current F1 Academy drivers and 2 team principals to bring you data, quotes, and perspectives you won't find anywhere else. Jump to the interviews ↓
🚀 Why F1 Academy Matters More Than Ever
For decades, the path for women in Formula 1 was fragmented, underfunded, and brutally lonely. The statistics are sobering: fewer than 2% of FIA super licence holders have been women. Only 5 women have ever started a Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend. F1 Academy changes the equation by offering fully funded drives, professional engineering support, and a race calendar that mirrors F1's ecosystem.
The UK has been the epicentre of this movement. With teams like Prema Racing, ART Grand Prix, and Rodin Motorsport operating from British bases, the series benefits from the same engineering talent pool that makes the UK the motorsport valley of the world.
📊 Key Milestones Since 2023
Marta García crowned first champion
Across 7 teams in 2025
Including Saudi Arabia, UK, Italy
The F1 Academy 2025 calendar features visits to Jeddah, Silverstone, and Monza among other iconic venues. Each round supports the F1 Grand Prix weekend, giving drivers exposure to the biggest stage in motorsport. Check the full F1 schedule with Academy support races →
👩🎤 Exclusive Driver Interviews & Profiles
We sat down with three standout drivers from the 2025 grid to get their unfiltered take on the series, the competition, and what it really takes to make it to F1.
Amna Al Qubaisi
Team: Prema Racing | Nationality: UAE | Age: 24
"F1 Academy gave me the professional environment I needed to grow. The data we collect here is exactly what teams use in F1. Every session is a job interview."
Amna's 2024 season saw her take 3 podiums and a win at Silverstone. She's widely tipped as a future F1 test driver.
Jessica Edgar
Team: ART Grand Prix | Nationality: British | Age: 20
"Racing at Silverstone in front of a home crowd was electric. The support from UK fans is unreal. We're proving that women belong at every level of this sport."
Jessica is part of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) Rising Stars programme.
Exclusive Interview: Team Principal Perspective
Jamie Green, Team Principal at Rodin Motorsport, told us: "The talent pool in F1 Academy is deeper than ever. We're seeing lap times that would have been unthinkable two years ago. The gap to F4 is closing fast. This isn't a 'women's series' – it's a racing series with female drivers. Full stop."
Green also highlighted the technical partnership with F1 teams: "Every Academy car runs the same data logging systems used in F1. That's a game-changer for driver development."
Want to follow these drivers' journeys? Watch F1 Academy races live on F1 TV →
📈 Exclusive Data: F1 Academy by the Numbers
We've crunched the data from the 2023 and 2024 seasons to bring you insights that go beyond the podium. Here's what the numbers reveal about the series' evolution and competitiveness.
| Season | Drivers | Races | Different Winners | Avg. Gap to Pole | Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 15 | 21 | 6 | 0.487s | Marta García |
| 2024 | 18 | 24 | 8 | 0.392s | Abbi Pulling |
| 2025 (so far) | 20 | 12 | 5 | 0.341s | — (ongoing) |
Key takeaway: The field is tightening fast. The average qualifying gap from 1st to last has shrunk by 30% in just two seasons. That's a sign of increasing professionalism and driver development. The days of a single dominant driver are fading – now it's a fight to the wire every weekend.
💡 Did you know? F1 Academy drivers complete over 200 laps of testing per race weekend – the same as F2. The series uses Pirelli tyres and HANS devices, matching F1 safety standards.
🏎️ Car Specs Comparison
Tatuus T421 (F1 Academy)
- Engine: 1.4L Turbo (180 bhp)
- Weight: 570 kg
- 0-100 km/h: 3.8s
- Top Speed: ~240 km/h
- Tyres: Pirelli
- Halo: Yes
F1 Car (Reference)
- Engine: 1.6L V6 Hybrid (~1000 bhp)
- Weight: 798 kg
- 0-100 km/h: 2.2s
- Top Speed: ~360 km/h
- Tyres: Pirelli
- Halo: Yes
The T421 is the perfect stepping stone – fast enough to teach real racecraft, but with less downforce than F4, it emphasises mechanical grip and driver skill. Experience the thrill of F1 cars on PC →
📅 F1 Academy 2025 Season Calendar
All rounds support the F1 Grand Prix weekend. Here's where you can catch the action, trackside or on screen.
| Round | Circuit | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeddah Corniche Circuit | 21-22 Mar | Saudi Arabia |
| 2 | Silverstone Circuit | 09-10 May | UK |
| 3 | Autodromo Nazionale di Monza | 06-07 Jun | Italy |
| 4 | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | 20-21 Jun | Spain |
| 5 | Red Bull Ring | 04-05 Jul | Austria |
| 6 | Zandvoort | 29-30 Aug | Netherlands |
| 7 | Yas Marina Circuit | 05-06 Dec | UAE |
Can't make it? Every race is broadcast live on F1 TV and selected broadcasters. The F1 Maximaal community in the Netherlands offers dedicated Dutch-language coverage.
For US fans, ESPN F1 carries select F1 Academy races as part of their F1 weekend coverage. Check your local listings.
🎮 F1 Academy: Gaming Guide & Sim Setup
Want to drive the Tatuus T421 yourself? The car is available in Assetto Corsa Competizione and rFactor 2 through mods, and F1 24 features the F1 Academy cars officially. Here's our pro setup guide for the best experience.
Best Games for F1 Academy
- F1 24 – Official F1 Academy mode
- Assetto Corsa Competizione – T421 mods available
- rFactor 2 – Advanced physics sim
- iRacing – F4 series (closest match)
Recommended Setup (Silverstone)
- Wing: 6-7 (medium downforce)
- Camber: -2.8 front / -2.2 rear
- Toe: 0.05 out front / 0.10 in rear
- Brake Bias: 56% front
- Ride Height: 45mm front / 50mm rear
Pro tip: The T421 is sensitive to trail braking. Work on smooth pedal transitions. Our full free online F1 game guide covers braking techniques in depth.
If you're playing on Steam, you can find the official F1 games plus the F1 Academy DLC. Grab your F1 Game Steam account and get started. For those looking for the older title, F1 2020 on Steam still has a thriving mod community.
🏆 Community challenge: Post your fastest lap at Silverstone in the T421 on our forum and win a PlayF1Game merch pack! Join the discussion ↓
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