What F1 Academy means to women in motorsports—and what some of its drivers hope the future holds

In 2023, American driver Chambers, who is ethnically Chinese but was adopted by her American family when she was 11 months old, became the first woman to start on pole and win a race in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship. She also previously competed in the W Series alongside drivers including Jamie Chadwick, before joining the F1 Academy for the 2024 season, during which she scored a podium finish in Miami and won the race in Barcelona, ending the series in sixth place. 

“It's so cool to be part of [F1 Academy] and to get this chance, already at 17 [years old] to race on circuits like Singapore or Abu Dhabi—it feels like a dream,” said Tina Hausmann, a Swiss racing driver who competed for Prema Racing representing Aston Martin in F1 Academy this year, while in Singapore for the F1. “[F1 Academy] is a huge platform. We, as the 15 female drivers, get a big opportunity. We get to race on these amazing tracks, and so we learn a lot for the future, but also the training we do off track—we develop as a person, we learn many new things. It’s a great opportunity that will help us so much in our future careers.” 

British motorsports racing driver Jessica Hawkins, who was also part of W Series and who is now driver ambassador and head of F1 Academy for Aston Martin, says, “I think that this opportunity that they have with F1 Academy is like no other. Opportunities like this weren’t around when I was Tina's age,” says Hawkins, who works closely with Hausmann. “So, to see how far we've come with motorsport and the opportunities that [female drivers] are getting now is fantastic, and these young drivers are thriving. They're learning so much. Being a part of the F1 support races as well as is huge and really key to their development. It's an exciting time for the F1 Academy and the growth of women's motorsport.”

The F1 Academy season came to a close with the UK’s Abbi Pulling, part of Rodin Motorsport’s team supported by Alpine, winning the series in Abu Dhabi in early December.

Much of this year’s F1 Academy series, from the races to the personal stories to behind-the-scenes, will be highlighted in an upcoming docuseries produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine and due to launch on Netflix in 2025.

“We want to be the rocket fuel that drives female participation in our sport, both on and off the track. To have the F1 Academy docuseries launch globally with Netflix is not just a huge step forward in visibility for our mission, but also a resounding statement about the momentum and demand for women’s sport,” said Susie Wolff, MBE, who is managing director of F1 Academy. “We want to inspire and empower the next generation of young women, and Netflix will open up F1 Academy to a global audience of existing and future fans.”

As F1 Academy gears up for another season in 2025, with seven rounds in support of Formula 1 including three new venues, one of which is the Shanghai International Circuit in China, it seems like this is just the beginning. 

We spoke to Chambers and Hausmann to see what they believe are essential elements for future success as racing drivers, the pressures they face as part of F1 Academy, being role models themselves, and what the future holds.

What are the skills and qualities most important for success as a driver? 

I think being competitive is probably one of the top ones because if you don’t want it as badly as the next person, then ultimately that next person it going to be willing to put in more work. So, having a competitive spirit and just generally being really dedicated to it, willing to make sacrifices wherever needs be and working really hard at it. 

Do you feel additional pressure as a female racer in F1 Academy?

I don't think I feel any extra pressure. Every driver puts pressure on themselves. Every driver has pressure put on by other people. It just depends on your situation and where you want to end up. Of course, I have some lofty goals for myself, but I think having those big goals is what helps you to make a good plan to achieve them. My goal is to reach the pinnacle level of motorsport, whether that's in sports car racing, endurance racing, open wheel racing in Europe or the States, and to be able to have the opportunity to fight for wins and championships.

How do you feel about being a role model to other girls?

Of course, it feels amazing to know that you're at the beginning of such a movement as this. I did W Series before so I was able to see it way back in its infancy, but I think being a role model is a plus to your own goals in your career. It's a really positive bonus.

Did you have any role models when you were growing up? 

Initially, when I was watching Formula 1 when I was really young, probably four or five years old, I really looked up to Lewis Hamilton—and still do now because of his support for females in motorsport and diversity in general. I think he's a really good guy to look up to. 

But, of course, I also looked up to Susie Wolff. I think having her so involved with F1 Academy has been a really nice bonus for us, because she not only is a really talented driver and has gone through the same things that we have, but also as a business woman is really knowledgeable.

What do you love most about what you do?

I just love the competition that racing has. It's different to, for example, soccer and those kinds of sports. I've always enjoyed the head-to-head aspect of it. Before I started racing, I was swimming competitively. And it's similar in the way that you can see the people next to you and gauge how you're doing visually. I've always just loved the fierceness of motor racing—the wheel-to-wheel, head-to-head aspect.

Where do you want to be in the next five to ten years?

Hopefully, I'll make a return to F1 Academy next year [it has been confirmed that Chambers will return to F1 Academy in 2025 representing the Red Bull Ford Academy programme]. It's only my first year, so I'm still eligible for a second year. I'd love to come back and fight for a championship, and then progress up the ladder as much as I can, while also evaluating my progress and performance. And then, I've been dipping my toes in the endurance and sports car racing world as well, which is growing a lot. So, I think there are opportunities everywhere. My main thing is just to continue progressing.

What would you say to other young girls looking to pursue a career in motorsports? 

I always say to work hard for it. If it's something that you really, really want, then hard work is needed. But hopefully you want it bad enough where you're willing to make the sacrifices. I also say to make sure you build the right team around you. I don't mean your car team, I mean your management, and having a good support system in general. For me, that's my family. It’s a really important thing as a driver, especially with how much change happens throughout seasons and how much time you spend away from home. To keep a few familiar people there with you is one of the most important things.

What are the skills and qualities most important for success as a driver? 

Passion is super important, because [motorsport] is such a big part of your life. If you don’t love it, it will be super tough. 

I think you also just need to want it. You need to want to have a perfect lap. You need to want to look at the data and talk about the corner for one hour. It’s about the details. You need to want to really do everything in the best way possible. 

Do you feel additional pressure as a female racer in F1 Academy?

I think I cope quite well with pressure. I mean, there's not just pressure in my life from racing. There is also pressure from school. I need to deliver there as well, otherwise, I cannot take as many days off as I want to. I'm someone who really wants to do something in my life; I could not sit at home for one week and do nothing. Diamonds are made under pressure, so I'm happy like this. I see it as an opportunity to develop and learn and I’m never afraid of anything. I'm here and I'm happy.

How important have role models been for you?

When I was young, at seven or eight, I never really had a role model in racing, or at least no woman. I always looked up to Louis Hamilton; he was a big inspiration. Now, I really look up to Susie Wolff, for her career, and now with developing the F1 Academy, and I like Jamie Chadwick—she’s very cool, a very good racer and I like her attitude. 

How do you feel about being a role model to other girls?

I'm very happy to be a role model. I get so many messages [from other girls] who tell me that I gave them a lot of motivation to fulfil their dreams. They look up to me and they get inspired— it’s important to me that I can inspire someone. I go to school, I do the gym, I do the racing—and I think many people realise that from what I show on social media, for example, it actually is possible. You have to work hard, but it's possible to work that hard and fulfil your dreams. But you need the motivation and to first of all, believe in yourself. 

What are your goals for the future? 

In racing, my goal is to still enjoy every day as much as I do now, so that I never lose this love of racing. And I want to live up to my full potential, to be able to unlock everything. 

What would you say to other young women looking to pursue a career in motorsports?

Find out what you love most and what you're good at. Then believe in yourself and do everything possible to fulfil your dream, because somehow it's always possible. 

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