F1 Academy to get its own series on Netflix

If you are a fan of all things relating to Formula 1, you'll be delighted to know that the F1 Academy is about to get its very own series on Netflix. If you’d like to find out more, please read on.

What is the F1 Academy?

The roots of the F1 Academy go back to 2004 when Formula Woman was launched in response to the lack of women drivers in top level motor racing. It was based on an ITV show. The theme of the show was to create a pathway for women drivers enabling them to rise up through the racing ranks and one day become F1 racing drivers.

In its first season, 16 female drivers (who qualified from thousands of applicants) were chosen to race Mazda RX-8s in seven meets. They were held at Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Knockhill Racing Circuit, and Oulton Park. Natasha Firman was the winning driver that first season. Mazda dropped out after 2004 and in the following season, Caterham Cars stepped with their Caterham 7s.

How the F1 Academy came about

Years after the launch of Formula Woman, the W Series was created in 2019. Unfortunately, it only survived for three seasons. The COVID pandemic caused the cancellation of its 2022 season. After that, financial difficulties finally saw the series go into liquidation.

The F1 Academy was launched in 2023 with the intent of developing young female drivers. The idea was to empower them to progress through upper levels of motor sport competitions, including F3, F2, and F1. But unlike Formula 1, being a new addition to motor sport, the winning cars and drivers of F1 Academy events are not easy to predict. The new F1 Academy is a different kettle of fish altogether.

The 2024 F1 Academy Season

The F1 Academy 2024 season will unfold across seven venues on three continents. The campaign will support the F1 Championship. The last meeting takes place in Abu Dhabi in December 2024.

For Motorsport enthusiasts, there is plenty of opportunity to watch each F1A race as it unfolds. The various channels are listed at the end of this article. But spectating is not the only way of enjoying the sport. You’ll find plenty of casinos and sportsbooks conveniently available online They offer a great range of slots and other games with motorsport themes. You can even play them on your mobile device anywhere, anytime. With any luck, you might land yourself a nice little cash bonus, too.

Wagering on races and playing online casino games can be great fun as long as you remember to gamble responsibly. The rush of adrenaline you’ll experience when you land a winning line is just like the thrill you get when your favourite driver is first to take the chequered flag.

Who will be crowned F1 Academy Champion 2024?

Spain's Marta García won the 2023 F1 Academy campaign. It’s now in its second year and got underway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in March 2024. France’s Doriane Pin took the chequered flag in race 1, and Britain’s Abbi Pulling claimed the honours in race 2. The Brit also won both races 1 and 2 in Miami, where Donald Trump made a surprise appearance. Winning three out of the first four races puts the 21-year-old Brit well out in front in the early race of champions but who will take the crown come December?

How the F1 Academy operates

The F1 Academy is run by Bruno Michel – the CEO of Formula Motorsport Limited. Each car is built and operated within a budget of £150,000. The competing teams contribute to the budget, and each receives a healthy subsidy from big daddy - Formula 1.

At the time of the Academy's launch, Bruno Michel stated that its goal was to establish female drivers on the F3 grid, encourage them to compete for points and podiums and inspire young women to enter motorsport and compete for places at the highest levels of the sport.

Netflix confirms F1 Academy docuseries

The arrival of young women on the racing car scene has already stirred considerable interest among the public, and Netflix has been quick to spot the potential. They confirmed on May 3rd, 2024, that they will be airing the new F1 Academy docuseries in early 2025.

It will be produced by "Hello Sunshine," Reese Witherspoon’s production company. She and the Academy MD, Susie Woolf, are on a mission to change the narrative for women in motorsport, and the new Netflix docuseries will play a big part in that ambition.

The series will follow the 2024 F1 Academy season and delve into the drama that unfolds on the track during each race. It will also examine the lives of the female drivers off the track, examining the ambition that is leading these ladies to make an inroad into what has up until now been a totally male-dominated sport.

The F1 Academy will be broadcast worldwide

Although the new Netflix docuseries won't air until sometime in 2025, excited fans will have plenty of chances to keep up with the live action. The campaign is being broadcast in more than 160 territories. It’s being streamed live on the F1 ACADEMY’s YouTube, X channels, and will also feature on F1TV. All this coverage creates a great opportunity for fans to totally immerse themselves in this new branch of F1 motor racing.