F1 Academy Documentary Shines Light on Women’s Racing Series
The world of Formula 1 is set to welcome a new documentary series, "F1: The Academy", which follows the lives of young female drivers as they compete in the F1 Academy, a women-only racing series. The series, which debuts on Netflix on Wednesday, has been hailed as a "huge opportunity" by 22-year-old British driver Abbi Pulling, whose run to the 2024 title forms the backbone of the series.
According to Pulling, the documentary has already changed her life and helped her career progress. "Little 8-year-old me that started karting definitely would never have imagined how it’s all exploded and become so big," she told the Associated Press. The series follows F1 Academy, a competition which can make or break careers and runs as a support series to F1 Grand Prix races.
The F1 Academy has been a game-changer for women in motorsport, providing a platform for female drivers to showcase their skills and compete at a high level. However, the series has not been without controversy, with some F1 fans criticising the decision to operate a women-only racing series. Drivers have faced mocking and abusive social media comments, but for Pulling and her fellow drivers, the series has provided a much-needed opportunity to build their brands and progress their careers.
"It’s definitely changed my life and helped my career progress," Pulling said. "It’s a huge opportunity for us to show the world what we’re capable of and to inspire more girls to get involved in motorsport." Bianca Bustamante, a driver from the Philippines, agrees. "As a woman, it’s like you go in there, you have your own safe space," she said. "It’s a really supportive environment and it’s amazing to be part of it."
The F1 Academy is part of a wider culture shift in auto racing, with teams increasingly employing more women in engineering and strategy roles. In 2018, F1 abolished the role of "grid girls" – models paid to stand in front of drivers’ cars – and while auto racing remains male-dominated, the sport is slowly becoming more inclusive. "Five, 10 years ago … the motorsport world, community, was very, very different," Bustamante said. "The only time girls were ever on the grid was if they were grid girls, or umbrella girls, or podium girls. All these things that we don’t see nowadays because of the representation."
No female driver has started an F1 world championship race for 49 years, or even entered qualifying since 1992, and the last woman to take part in an official F1 session was Susie Wolff in British Grand Prix practice in 2015. Wolff is now the managing director of F1 Academy and is determined to provide more opportunities for female drivers. "I’ve lived it. I know how tough it is," she told the AP. "It’s my job to set something up which gives young female drivers opportunity for the future, and from start to end I think we’ve made a huge amount of progress so far in a very short space of time."
The journey to the top is not an easy one, however. Drivers get a maximum two years in F1 Academy, with their costs heavily subsidized by F1. The vast costs of auto racing – which only increase as the cars get more expensive and powerful – mean that failure in F1 Academy could easily end a career. "I don’t shy away from the harsh realities of sport," Wolff said. "So failure will become part of the journey for many drivers who are not racing at the front."
Despite the challenges, Pulling and her fellow drivers are determined to make the most of their opportunity. Pulling’s reward for winning the title was a fully-funded seat in the British-based GB3 series this year, which will give her a much faster car and a chance to progress her career. Bustamante has also raised the funds to join Pulling in GB3, while other ex-F1 Academy drivers like 2023 champion Marta Garcia have moved into sportscar racing.
The documentary series provides a unique insight into the lives of these talented young drivers, showcasing their skills, determination, and passion for the sport. As the series debuts on Netflix, fans around the world will be able to follow the journey of Abbi Pulling and her fellow drivers as they chase their dreams and push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of motorsport.
The impact of the F1 Academy on the sport as a whole cannot be overstated. With more women than ever before getting involved in motorsport, the series is helping to pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse future for the sport. As Alice Powell, who mentors girls in karting series and is also Pulling’s manager, said: "Female drivers are much more accepted. There are a lot more female drivers in the karting paddock, which is really nice to see. A lot more female mechanics are getting involved and helping the younger drivers as well."
The F1 Academy is a vital part of this process, providing a platform for female drivers to showcase their skills and compete at a high level. With the documentary series shining a light on the lives of these talented young drivers, it’s clear that the future of motorsport is bright – and that the F1 Academy is leading the way.
