Fueling Change: How F1 Academy Is Driving More Women Into Formula 1

"Sometimes in life, you just need to see it to believe it," says Susie Wolff , Managing Director of F1 Academy , on the transformative power of visible role models in the traditionally male-dominated world of motorsports. Her words, shared at the recentat the Miami Grand Prix, are emblematic of a broader shift within the sport— the growing recognition of the need for greater gender equality and representation.

Launched in 2023, F1 Academy is a women-only racing series created by Formula 1 to increase access and opportunity in a sport that has long been male-dominated. By providing top-tier training, exposure, and a dedicated pathway, the Academy is challenging norms and proving that gender has no bearing on skill behind the wheel. If there is one person who can lead this change, it's Wolff, who is a trailblazer in her own right.

Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy, in the MP Motorsport garage during the F1 Academy 2024 Miami Grand PrixThe impact of F1 Academy is already evident, with drivers like sisters Hamda and Amna Al Qubaisi breaking barriers in the sport. Speaking at the Women Who Rokt Summit, Hamda shared,"It was really tough to get into the sport to begin with as Arab females. It's just a taboo.

The shifting demographics of the Formula 1 fan base point to a growing demand for diverse representation and narratives within the sport, paralleling the broader rise in viewership, investment and engagement in women’s sports. Wolff noted that 40% of Formula 1 fans are now female, with women aged 18-24 emerging as the fastest-growing segment."Those are incredible stats and those are part of the reason that F1 Academy exists.

Susie Wolff speaks at the Women Who Rokt Summit alongside Rokt's Srishti Gupta, Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden, Vital Voices CEO Alyse Nelson, and Moira Forbes, EVP, Forbes.At a time when interest in women’s sports shows no signs of slowing, F1 Academy is doing more than training the next generation of female drivers—it’s fundamentally transforming the landscape of motorsport through visibility and inclusion.

F1 Academy Netflix Toto Wolff Formula 1 Hamda Al Qubaisi Hello Sunshine Reese Witherspoon Women Sports

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Rising temperatures are cooking bumblebee nests and killing larvaeClimate change could be fueling bumblebee population loss by making hives too hot to handle
Source: newscientist - 🏆 541. / 51 Read more »

Biden Wants To Take Your CarSteve Forbes is Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media.
Source: ForbesTech - 🏆 318. / 59 Read more »

President Biden’s Latest Attack On The Economy: Smother The InternetSteve Forbes is Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media.
Source: ForbesTech - 🏆 318. / 59 Read more »

Gen Z Wants Next President to 'Fundamentally Change' AmericaAmong the younger generation, 68 percent said they want a candidate who promises not to keep the status quo.
Source: Newsweek - 🏆 468. / 52 Read more »

University of Kentucky faculty issue no-confidence vote in school president over policy changeThe University of Kentucky senate has issued a vote of no confidence in President Eli Capilouto, but the school’s Board of Trustees issued a statement afterward saying it “unequivocally supports” him.
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »

Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair eyes change in Arctic approach with change in weatherFor decades, Canada relied on geography and the strength of its North American Aerospace Defense Command partnership with the U.S. to protect itself from potential adversaries.
Source: WashTimes - 🏆 235. / 63 Read more »