The ambitious project, creating a race series for women drivers only, was launched last year by Formula 1, with the aim of increasing awareness of diversity and inclusion in the world of motorsport. The category is designed to give drivers access to more track time, racing and testing, as well as support with technical, physical, and mental preparations. It will provide young talent in junior categories with access to the fundamental level of experience needed to progress to Formula 3 and eventually set them on the road to Formula 1. Here’s all you need to know about the coming season.
There are seven rounds on the calendar, across three continents, all of them taking place as support races to Formula 1 Grands Prix, starting with Saudi Arabia in March, all the way through to the grand final in Abu Dhabi in December and close racing, thrills and plenty of overtaking are bound to be on the menu.
The weekend format is straightforward: two 40 minute free practice sessions followed by 30 minutes of qualifying which decides the grid for the first race. The grid for Race 2 however is set by taking each driver’s second best qualifying time. The two races each last for 30 minutes.
ROUND 1 – JEDDAH: Weekend Schedule
| Event | Day | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| FREE PRACTICE | THURSDAY | 14:05-14:45 |
| QUALIFYING | THURSDAY | 21:30-22:00 |
| RACE 1 | FRIDAY | 15:10-15:40 |
| RACE 2 | SATURDAY | 15:05-15:35 |
The points allocation for the races is the same as in F1, with 25 going to the winner, 18 for second, 15 for third, all the way down to one point for tenth place. Pole position is worth two points, while whoever sets the fastest race lap gets an extra point.
All ten Formula 1 teams are supporting the series, with ten of the fifteen drivers therefore sporting their liveries. Flying the flag for Visa Cash App RB will be Amna Al Qubaisi. The Emirati showed great pace in karts, before switching to single-seaters and last year, she won two F1 Academy races. She is raring to go again this year. Along with her sister Hamda and Emely De Heus, she is part of the Red Bull Academy Programme, which aims to help women drivers reach the highest level of racing, attracting a lot of attention from our partners.
The new F1 Academy season is on the start line and so now you know who you’ll be cheering for!
