Formula 1 announces F1 Academy, a new all-female driver series for 2023 – Formula 1
Starting in 2023, Formula 1 is set to launch an all-female car owner category, the F1 School, to develop and prepare young female drivers to progress in order to higher levels of competition – including W Series, Formula one, Formula 2, and Method 3.
The series will consist of five teams run by current F2 and F3 teams, each entering three cars to make up a 15-car grid. The first season will comprise of seven events with three races each – amounting to a total of 21 races – plus 15 days of official testing, with the 2023 calendar set to be released in due course.
The motorists will become getting behind the wheel of Tatuus T421 chassis, with Autotecnica supplying turbocharged engines that will deliver 165 horsepower, while Formulation 1’s Global Partner Pirelli will provide the tyres.
The collection – which will end up being managed simply by the CEO of Formula Motorsport Limited Bruno Michel – will see Formula 1 subsidise the cost of each car with the budget associated with €150, 000, while the drivers cover the particular same amount of costs – a fraction of the usual expenses in comparable series – with the teams covering the rest of the budget.
The aim of the series is in order to maximise the particular opportunity plus potential of young female drivers to reach the highest level within motorsport and to offer young talent currently in go-karting or other junior categories along with access to the fundamental level of experience needed before going racing within F3 plus joining the pyramid in order to Formula 1 .
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After assessing the particular barriers younger female motorists face with entering the F1 pyramid, it became clear that will they do not have the same amount associated with experience as their male counterparts at the particular same age.
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Thus the goal of the F1 Academy is in order to fill this gap and offer woman drivers access to more track time, racing and screening. The racers will also grow by working with professional teams, who are renowned in motorsport for nurturing young drivers, and who will help them develop the crucial technical, physical, and mental preparation skills needed with regard to elite competition.
Formula 1’s intentions are to ensure aspiring female motorists have the best opportunities to reach their potential, with an important first step of getting into Formula 3 and progressing through the ranks.
The Watts Series continues to provide a great platform for motorists and the particular F1 Academy is intended to add an extra route for the next generation of youthful female drivers, that will race in an environment that will allow all of them to gain fundamental encounter thanks in order to a great amount of monitor time.
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“Everyone should have the opportunity to follow their dreams and achieve their possible and Method 1 wants to ensure we are usually doing everything we can to create greater diversity plus routes in to this incredible sport, ” said Formulation 1 President and TOP DOG Stefano Domenicali.
“That is why I am delighted in order to announce the F1 Academy that will give young women drivers the particular best chance to fulfil their ambitions through a comprehensive programme that supports their race careers and gives them every thing they require to move into F3 and hopefully to F2 and then the pinnacle of Formula 1. The more opportunity there is the better and this is designed in order to provide another route intended for the motorists to succeed. ”
Method 1’s Head of Sustainability Ellen Jones added: “In 2019 we launched our sustainability plus diversity & inclusion strategy and made a commitment to build a more diverse and inclusive sport, breaking down the stereotypes associated with a career in motorsports and encouraging people from all backgrounds to get involved.
“Over the particular past few years, we have been making strong progress upon these important issues within our own business and across the sport. Today’s announcement is a very important commitment that will certainly ensure young female drivers get the very best opportunity to begin their own professional motorsport career plus climb the ladder to the top simply by developing their particular skills and experience in the right way and along with the right level support. ”
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“I feel very excited to launch this particular new category, ” said Manager of the F1 Academy Bruno Michel. “Diversity is extremely important in motorsport, and with the F1 Academy we will prove that female motorists have what it takes to compete at high levels. I am absolutely convinced that if young women are given the same amount of experience as any other driver, they can successfully make their way through the particular pyramid.
“Our goal is to see female drivers on the F3 main grid in the next two to 3 years, plus for them to quickly challenge for points and podiums. The aim is to increase the field in the particular near future, because all of us hope that this category may inspire more young girls to contend in motorsport at the greatest of levels. ”