System One launches all-female feeder sequence, F1 Academy

System One has confirmed particulars of a brand new all-female racing sequence, referred to as F1 Academy, which goals to offer a platform for feminine drivers to progress their careers in the direction of racing’s prime championship.

F1 has made clear the brand new sequence is just not being pitched as a rival to the present all-female W Collection, which hit monetary difficulties this yr and needed to cancel its ultimate three races. It isn’t but clear if W Collection will proceed in 2023 when F1 Academy will probably be launched.

The brand new sequence, first reported by ESPN in October, will see 5 groups run three vehicles over a seven-round calendar with three races at every spherical. Just one spherical is predicted to run as a part of the help race package deal for an F1 weekend.

The sequence is being pitched as a pathway for younger feminine karters to progress towards W Collection, System 3 and System 2. It’ll use System 4-style vehicles with 165 break horsepower engines, that are 95 bhp down on the F3-style vehicles utilized in W Collection.

The groups concerned will probably be present F2 and F3 groups, with opponents needing to boost €150,000 to drive whereas F1 itself will subsidise every driver’s price range by an additional €150,000.

The sequence will probably be run by Bruno Michel, who additionally manages F3 and F2.

F1’s press launch mentioned the sequence is designed to fill the hole in expertise many feminine drivers have earlier than making the leap to F3.

“Throughout assessments of the obstacles younger feminine drivers face with coming into the F1 pyramid, it grew to become clear that they don’t have the identical quantity of expertise as their male counterparts on the similar age,” the press launch mentioned. “The objective is to fill this hole and supply them entry to extra observe time, racing and testing.”

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali added: “Everybody ought to have the chance to observe their goals and obtain their potential and System One needs to make sure we’re doing every thing we will to create higher range and routes into this unbelievable sport,” he mentioned.

“That’s the reason I’m delighted to announce the F1 Academy that may give younger feminine drivers one of the best probability to fulfil their ambitions by a complete programme that helps their racing careers and provides them every thing they should transfer into F3 and hopefully to F2 after which the head of System One. The extra alternative there may be the higher and that is designed to offer one other route for the drivers to succeed.”