Female racers from the Formula 1 Academy aiming to draw in a fresh viewer base through a Netflix show
London (AP) - The Formula 1 dream of 22-year-old British racing driver Abbi Pulling has gained an unexpectedly vast audience, as she is set to be the focus of a new Netflix docuseries, "F1: The Academy," premiering on Wednesday. The series shines a spotlight on a women's-only racing series, marking an unprecedented surge of attention to this upcoming competition.
Launched to support the next generation of female drivers, F1 Academy offers career-defining opportunities amidst intense competition that runs as a support series to F1 Grand Prix races. For Pulling, who clinched the 2024 title, the series has served as a catalyst for her career progression, transforming her life as a young karting enthusiast to a promising F1 driver.
Controversy surrounds the women-only racing series, with some critics voicing their dissent on social media. Yet, for the drivers, it offers essential funding and a platform to build a brand. Pulling and her manager share a house, and she acknowledges that without F1 Academy, she would not have been able to afford racing beyond 2025.
The atmosphere among drivers in F1 Academy appears to be different from that of traditional F1, exhibiting a camaraderie and support system often missing in the latter. The drivers console each other after errors and host birthday parties, a stark contrast to the feuds commonly depicted in "Drive To Survive."
Bianca Bustamante, a Filipino racer, described F1 Academy as a safe space for women in motor racing. The series is part of a broader effort to promote gender equality in the sport, extending beyond the racing itself. The auto racing industry has traditionally been male-dominated, with limited representation for women, particularly in key technical roles.
Despite the lack of female representation in Formula 1, the last four decades have seen few female competitors. No woman has started an F1 world championship race for nearly 50 years, and the last female participant was Susie Wolff, who raced in British Grand Prix practice in 2015 and now manages F1 Academy.
F1 Academy aims to pave the way for female drivers, with a long-term vision of encouraging more girls to take up racing and fostering sustainable careers in any series. The academy uses modified Formula 4 cars, offering temporary respite before the drivers face the ultra-competitive feeder series to F1.
Mentors in the industry are optimistic about the future, noticing an increased number of young girls becoming involved in karting and achieving more success. They believe that female drivers are becoming more accepted and that the motorsport community is becoming more inclusive.
Navigating success in F1 Academy poses challenges, as financial backing is required to move on to higher levels. The costs of racing escalate as the cars become faster and more complex, making it difficult for drivers without substantial sponsorship to compete.
As the series unfolds, it remains to be seen how its participants will fare in the world of elite motorsport. However, with increasing visibility and sponsorship, the F1 Academy could become a vital stepping stone for female drivers in their pursuit of Formula 1 dreams.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
- Toronto's media outlets are keenly following the progress of 22-year-old British racing driver Abbi Pulling, as she makes her mark in the women's-only racing series F1 Academy, set to premiere on a new Netflix docuseries, "F1: The Academy."
- The cities of community and culture, Toronto and London, are experiencing a surge of interest in sports, after the announcement of the upcoming Formula 1 women's-only racing series, F1 Academy.
- In an attempt to promote gender equality in sports, F1 Academy is extending itsreach beyond Toronto and London to encourage more girls globally to take up racing, with the goal of fostering sustainable careers in any series.
