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At the U.S. Grand Prix, Spain’s own Marta Garcia emerged as the first-ever champion of the Formula 1 Academy, securing her victory in the opening race of a three-part series.
Following her triumph, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton was among the first to congratulate the 23-year-old, telling her that her win was well-deserved.
The win firmly positioned Garcia out of the reach of competitors Lena Buhler and Hamda Al Qubaisi in this female-focused feeder series.
The concluding race of this debut season will take place in Austin over the weekend. The second race, held on Saturday, saw Al Qubaisi take the checkered flag.
Established this year, the F1 Academy aims to elevate the participation of women in motorsports, working toward placing them in the upper echelons of the sport. The last woman to earn points in Formula 1 was Italy’s Lella Lombardi, who finished sixth in the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, scoring half a point.
F1 Academy’s Managing Director Susie Wolff emphasized during the U.S. Grand Prix that the initiative must succeed in the coming years for motorsports to truly diversify in terms of gender.
“This needs to be a lasting change, not a fleeting moment,” Wolff remarked. “Otherwise, the chances of achieving wider diversity in the sport are slim to none.”
Wolff pointed out that the F1 Academy has to be more than just a series of races.
“A bunch of cars racing around won’t solve the issue,” she said. “The F1 Academy should serve as the catalyst that propels these young talents forward.”
She expressed optimism about the initiative’s momentum, saying it would assist young drivers in raising necessary funds to further their careers.
Plans to propel this year’s championship leaders to the next stage of their Formula 1 journey will be revealed shortly. While keeping the details under wraps, Wolff assured, “Our winner will not just advance; she will advance with the best odds of succeeding.”
Wolff also said the F1 Academy and its recruitment programs are already making an impact, citing a new karting initiative in the UK that saw female participation rates jump from 2.5% to 9% this year.
The F1 Academy’s future looks promising as well, with all 10 Formula 1 teams agreeing to sponsor a driver next year. Each car will sport the colors of the sponsoring team.
Taking a candid moment, Wolff recounted a conversation with a team principal who questioned the program’s efficacy.
“He asked if we were simply applying a band-aid to the issue,” she said. “My response was clear: We’re committed to solving the problem for good. We need to broaden the talent pool, make the sport more accessible, and inspire future generations to join.”
She concluded by saying that by the end of 2025, the F1 Academy should provide a clear indication of whether it’s moving the needle on diversity in the sport.
“So, get ready for some high-octane girl power in the years to come, folks. If you’re imagining a 19-year-old female driver zipping up a Ferrari racing suit next year, let’s just say that’s an image worth a thousand words—or even more,” Wolff added.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about F1 Academy Championship
Who won the inaugural Formula 1 Academy Championship at the U.S. Grand Prix?
Marta Garcia from Spain won the inaugural Formula 1 Academy Championship during the U.S. Grand Prix.
What was the aim of establishing the Formula 1 Academy?
The aim of the F1 Academy is to increase the participation of women in motorsports, with the long-term goal of having more women compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Who congratulated Marta Garcia after her win?
Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton congratulated Marta Garcia, stating that her success was well-deserved.
Who are some of Marta Garcia’s competitors in the F1 Academy?
Some of Marta Garcia’s competitors include Lena Buhler and Hamda Al Qubaisi.
When and where is the concluding race of the F1 Academy’s maiden season?
The concluding race of the F1 Academy’s inaugural season will take place in Austin, Texas, over the weekend.
Who was the last woman to earn points in Formula 1 before the F1 Academy?
The last woman to earn points in Formula 1 was Italian driver Lella Lombardi, who finished sixth in the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, earning half a point.
What are Susie Wolff’s views on the F1 Academy?
Susie Wolff, the Managing Director of the F1 Academy, emphasizes that the initiative needs to be more than just another racing series. She believes that it should serve as a catalyst for propelling young female talents forward in motorsports. She also stated that this program must succeed for the sport to diversify in terms of gender.
Are there any plans for the leading drivers in the F1 Academy to progress further?
Yes, plans to help the leading drivers in this year’s championship advance to the next levels of their Formula 1 journey will be unveiled soon. Susie Wolff assures that the winner will advance with the best odds of succeeding.
Has the F1 Academy already made an impact in terms of increasing female participation?
Yes, according to Susie Wolff, a new karting program in the UK saw the percentage of female participants increase from 2.5% to 9%.
Will Formula 1 teams be involved in the F1 Academy’s future?
Yes, all 10 Formula 1 teams have committed to sponsoring a driver in the F1 Academy next year. Each car in the series will be painted in the colors of the sponsoring team.
More about F1 Academy Championship
- U.S. Grand Prix Official Website
- Formula 1 Academy: The Initiative
- Marta Garcia’s Racing Profile
- Lewis Hamilton’s Official Site
- Susie Wolff’s Views on Gender Diversity in Motorsport
- Lella Lombardi: A Trailblazer in F1
- F1 Teams Committed to F1 Academy
- UK Karting Program Boosts Female Participation
- Future of F1 and Diversity
11 comments
Susie W is a boss, she knows whats up. F1 Academy aint just for show, its makin real change.
susie wolff is on point. We really need to see more ladies in F1. It’s about time the sport got more diverse, ya know?
Lella Lombardi was the real OG. Good to see more women getting into the mix after so long.
Who would’ve thought, F1 and gender diversity in the same sentence. 2023 is wild, yall.
F1 Academy sounds dope! Looking forward to seein what they unveil for the leading drivers. High hopes here ppl.
I never thought I’d be so into motorsports but this is like a real-life action movie. Go Marta!
Is it just me or does the whole F1 academy thing sound like it could be a kick-butt movie plot?
Next stop, Austin, Texas! Someone book me a ticket, I wanna see this race live lol
Woah, Marta Garcia is a beast on the track! So glad she clinched the title. Lewis congratulating her is just the icing on the cake, man.
Lena Buhler and Hamda Al Qubaisi also did well but Marta just killed it. Can’t wait for the Austin race this weekend.
All 10 F1 teams sponsoring a driver next year?? Now thats what Im talkin about. This is gonna be big.