"It's always Lewis": Hamilton acknowledges F1 Academy race winner

Mercedes Junior driver Doriane Pin won the second F1 Academy race in Saudi Arabia. Lewis Hamilton was on hand to celebrate with the French winner. Some of the female Mercedes staff members also joined in with the celebrations.

Susie Wolff, F1 Academy director, has been hoping more F1 drivers will pay attention to the women's racing class in 2024. Hamilton immediately showed his appreciation by visiting the women's class paddock. Toto Wolff's wife hopes it won't stop there and that more drivers will come to take a look in the future: "It's a little bit sad that it's always Lewis. He is always the one offering support, coming over. He knows what it's like to be the only one, and so he has an affinity," Wolff told ESPN in October 2023, who was clearly disappointed at the time.

The F1 Academy will support Formula 1 at seven Grands Prix weekends throughout the season. Pin won the first two races, though in Jeddah, she continued to race at full speed following the chequered flag. She continued on the track, which caused a red flag. She was investigated after the event.

All drivers who attended the press conference ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix praised the F1 Academy. This included Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Nico Hulkenberg. Valtteri Bottas confirmed he planned to watch the event: “It’s really great to see and a great platform, so [I] will be watching.”

The next F1 Academy event takes place in Miami. The female series will also join F1 in Spain, The Netherlands, Singapore, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.