F1 Academy Director Susie Wolff: The Series Must Operate as a Commercial Venture, Not a Charity

F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff asserts that the all‑female series must function as a commercially sustainable platform, not a charitable initiative.

Since its launch in 2023, the championship has steadily gained momentum. Initially contested before empty grandstands with no televised action, it secured partnerships with Formula 1 and its teams. Today, the series runs as a support race at selected Grand Prix weekends and is fully broadcast.

It also appears in a Netflix series styled after ‘Drive to Survive’, titled ‘F1: The Academy’.

“We do not expect the female division of Formula 1 to operate as a charity project. It must be logical and create value for our partners,” Wolff told Yahoo Finance during the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.

We are immensely proud of our achievements and remain ambitious about future growth, as women’s sport continues to surge.

Although attracting a woman to a top‑level F1 seat is not the sole objective of the series, it remains a prominent discussion point. Wolff emphasizes that any breakthrough must be earned on merit, not merely for appearance.

“Will it happen? I believe so. However, I cannot provide a specific timeline, as talent availability determines the timing,” she said.

Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy

Photo by: Clive Mason / Getty Images

“An opportunity should not be granted solely because of gender; we will identify a talented young girl and I am confident a team will provide her the chance.”

Within its first three seasons, F1 Academy has already yielded notable success stories. 2023 champion Marta García moved from the Formula Regional European Championship to endurance racing with the Iron Dames.

2024 champion Abbi Pulling joined the GB3 Championship, making history earlier this year as the first woman to secure both a pole position and a race win. She also works as a rookie and simulator driver for the Nissan Formula E Team.

After winning the 2025 title, Doriane Pin was promoted to a development driver role with the Mercedes F1 team, becoming the first woman to test a Mercedes F1 car, and she now competes in the European Le Mans Series LMP2 class.

Source link