F1 Academy launches “F1 Academy Discover Your Drive” project

F1 Academy has launched “F1 Academy Discover Your Drive” — a global project aimed to increase the female talent pool in the motorsport both on and off the track.

The main focus of the project will be on:

• Youth Engagement
• Talent Identification
• Participation & Progression
• Community

The project will give young girls the chance to participate in entry-level programmes and professional schemes, which will increase female participation in the motorsport.

The first programme will be “F1 Academy Discover Your Drive Karting UK” — a national programme to find and nurture the upcoming young female karters. This programme will be held across six venues in the UK. 

F1 Academy is set to become a support series to Formula One in 2024. the “F1 Academy Discover Your Drive” initiative will also work on activations during the race weekends to encourage young girls to take up a career in motorsports. 

Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy, said:

“When we launched F1 Academy in March, one of our key objectives was to increase the pipeline of talent entering our sport, both strengthening the pool of drivers aiming to make it to an elite level and supporting those who want to pursue roles off track. The launch of F1 Academy Discover Your Drive is an important step to achieving this and as we join the F1 global calendar next year, the reach of the programme will be huge and will give us the platform to inspire many girls and young women around the world. To have the support of like minded organisations like Motorsport UK and TeamSport Karting to deliver our first national programme is hugely important, and I look forward to seeing it grow and be impactful long term.“

Hugh Chambers, CEO of Motorsport UK, added:

“We are extremely proud to have been involved in the creation of this initiative with F1 Academy. Sports such as football and rugby have invested heavily in developing junior female talent at entry level and the respective programmes are now yielding fantastic results, with UK athletes competing and winning major accolades on the international stage. We believe F1 Academy Discover Your Drive Karting UK will kickstart the same process within the UK. We hope to show young girls that motorsport is accessible and fun and support them on their journey, whether to compete in motorsport or to follow a professional career in multiple disciplines.“

Dom Gaynor, CEO of TeamSport Karting, said:

“TeamSport is delighted to be working with F1 Academy and Motorsport UK on the F1 Academy Discover Your Drive Karting UK initiative. With over 1.8 million drivers racing at TeamSport tracks each year, we are in a fantastic position to identify and develop young female racing talent in the UK.“