F1 Academy documentary set to release on Netflix

Photo: F1 Academy

This week Netflix are set to give us a first ever look behind the scenes of the F1 Academy.

The new series, titled F1: The Academy, will provide fans and newcomers alike with the opportunity to understand how Formula 1’s first women only racing series works, both on and off the track, with a chance to get to know the drivers, team principals and see how female racing talent is being nurtured.

With the series set to show the highs and lows of the 2024 season, the first ever season of F1 Academy, there will be certain moments that hardcore fans will want to see represented, whilst newcomers will want to get to know what the hype is all about, so what stories will steal the spotlight in Season One of F1: The Academy?

1: How F1 Academy came to be

F1 Academy wasn’t something that came out of the blue, and certainly had a familiar face helping shape its present and future. Susie Wolff, former racing driver herself, set up the Academy after the closure of the previous women’s racing series W Series in an attempt to continue giving female racers an opportunity to show off their talents and give them a platform into the higher levels.

There was no guarantee of success, but Susie Wolff has continued to manage the growth of the F1 Academy, with the ambition being shown in presenting the stories of these drivers to Netflix in a similar way F1 fans are used to seeing on Drive To Survive, but it is key to not brush over the importance of these female drivers and the opportunities that come with success.

2: The story of the season

15 drivers competed in the first season, but it was Abbi Pulling who claimed the all important Drivers Championship and secured a seat in the GB3 Championship, a series that prepares drivers for Formula 3.

A dominant season from Pulling left Doriane Pin in second, over 100 points behind after the final race at the Yas Marina Circuit. The Brit would finish on the podium in every race on her way to the title and will no doubt be heavily featured throughout the season.

However, Drive To Survive has never been afraid to go in depth on the tougher stories in the season, such as the backmarker teams and drivers who may not get the headlines.

Expect F1: The Academy to do the same, including some potential screen time for the “wildcard” picks of the season; drivers who weren’t necessarily good enough for a seat for the season but given the chance to prove themselves for a one off race and promote local talent.

3: The obstacles

Motorsport is brutal, and for women it’s naturally even more difficult. With a lack of recognised female representation in the drivers seat, most of the drivers in F1 Academy know that this might be their last chance at single seater racing.

Obviously only one driver can win, but with only 15 seats available and only so much backing from the F1 teams, if you don’t win you might never get that chance again.

It would be wrong to not see these stories highlighted throughout the show, which in turn would fail to address the reason an all female category is needed.

The representation of women in motorsport is growing. From F1 Academy to ex-W Series champion Jamie Chadwick’s story, and even EA Sports’s Formula 1 game featuring a female driver as a main character in its story mode, it seems the landscape is changing. This would be the perfect start, and F1: The Academy can help with that.

F1: The Academy releases on Netflix on 28th May