F1 Academy to Expand, Driven by Netflix Series Success & Growing Female Fanbase
LONDON, UK – Susie Wolff, Managing Director of the F1 Academy, outlined future plans for the all-female racing series following the release of its inaugural Netflix docuseries, F1: The Academy, adn a surge in interest fueled by increased visibility. The series, wich debuted on Netflix in May 2025, is already proving instrumental in challenging perceptions of motorsport and attracting a broader audience.
The F1 Academy was established to identify, develop, and promote young female drivers, providing a pathway to higher formulas of racing, including Formula 1. Wolff emphasized the importance of recognizing and engaging the sport’s substantial female fanbase, stating, “The sport has recognised that it has a huge female fan base and we need to make sure that we respect and speak to that fan base and make sure that we also reach new audiences and thru F1 Academy we can disrupt, we can do things differently.” the series aims to dismantle outdated preconceptions about who racing is for and create opportunities for talented female drivers.
Inspired by the success of Drive to Survive in boosting Formula 1’s popularity, particularly in the United States, F1: The Academy showcases the drivers’ journeys and the challenges they face. Wolff highlighted the impact of the Netflix series, explaining, “Sometimes in life you have to see it to believe it, and there is this outdated preconception that men love cars and racing is for boys, not for girls.” She added, “To switch on a series and see a young girl zipping up a Ferrari race suit and jumping in what looks like a miniature Ferrari Formula 1 car, that image alone just challenges the perceptions of what belongs in the sport.”
The F1 Academy’s next steps will focus on building on this momentum, expanding the series’ reach, and continuing to provide a competitive and supportive surroundings for aspiring female racing drivers. Further details regarding future seasons and potential expansion plans are expected to be announced in the coming months.
