It doesn’t take much in the way of piercing insight to see there’s a dearth of women in top-tier motorsports. Yes, there’ve been a few, but names such as Michèle Mouton and Danica Patrick almost seem more like flukes than anything else. Meanwhile, comments from the likes of ex-Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone certainly gave the impression they’d remain that way. (Don’t forget this gem from the old dirtbag. -Ed.)

But post-Supremo F1 is a changed place. Case in point: F1 Academy. Launched in April 2023 and run by managing director Susie Wolff—who knows her way around a racetrack—the Academy picks up where the late W Series left off. It builds on it, too.

Sharing the W Series focus on female talent, the Academy takes a different approach to how it functions. Instead of a standalone series, the Academy is a way to filter more women into the Formula 3-2-1 structure and develop them as racers—just like it would anyone else.

“The concept of F1 Academy is to create a platform where women can be nurtured to progress further up the ladder, but also to inspire the next generation and to create opportunity, not just on track, but also off it.” -Susie Wolff

If the name Susie Wolff sounds familiar, it’s because she’s a regular on the Netflix series, Drive to Survive, working as an ambassador for Mercedes-AMG F1 alongside her husband, Toto Wolff. And if the name Toto Wolff sounds familiar, that’s because he’s the boss of the entire Mercedes F1 team. So between the two of them, F1 Academy has a good chance at reaching its stated goals.

In fact, F1 Academy is already a step closer to its goals. For the 2024 season, all 10 F1 teams will nominate one Academy driver to represent them in the series, complete with F1 team livery. Wolff’s connections were probably not a hinderance to getting this deal made, but that’s not to lose sight that this grid-wide deal wouldn’t have happened at all if the big-league teams didn’t believe in it.

According to Wolff, the ultimate payoff for F1 Academy might not come for another eight to 10 years. That’s certainly a minute, but lasting change takes time.

To Entice Women to Racing, the F1 Academy Picks Up Where the W Series Left Off [via The New York Times]