Inside Formula 1’s Push for a New Generation of Women Drivers in Motor Racing (Exclusive)

Former professional driver Susie Wolff wants other women to know that there is a place for them in motor racing, especially in Formula 1, the popular and glamorous international racing series that has historically been associated with dashing, daring drivers.

And with the F1 Academy, that will all change.

Established in 2022 by Formula 1, the all-female series kicked off this year with seven events around the world, with the final race on Sunday, October 22 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

“Formula 1 has given us this great opportunity to create something that can drive significant change in this industry,” Wolff, 40, tells PEOPLE. A former racer and test driver who made history as the first woman to compete in a Formula 1 race at the age of 22 in 2014, the Scottish native first started racing karts at the age of 8 against now greats such as Lewis Hamilton and Nic Rosberga, before later becoming the director of the Academy after retiring from the sport.

Featuring five teams and fifteen women from around the world between the ages of 16 and 25, the F1 Academy was created “to develop and prepare young female drivers for higher levels of competition — including the W Series, Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3,” the racing series it announced in November 2022. In terms of experience, the drivers are classified as Formula 4 level, with the hope of reaching Formula 1, which is the highest level that can be achieved in the sport.

Now, with the Academy, Wolff says, “We’re trying to change the perception that this is a male-dominated environment.”

Susie Wolff in Austin for the F1 Academy Series.

F1 Academy

Prince Harry Goes Solo in Austin for Surprise Trip to Formula 1 US Grand Prix — See Photos!

However, contrary to what many think, Formula 1 has always been open to women. “It’s not separate,” says Wolff, explaining, “It’s one of the few sports in the world [that isn’t].”

In fact, the first woman to drive for Formula 1 was Maria Teresa de Filippis, who competed from 1958 to 1959. She was followed by Lella Lombardi, Divina Galica and Desiré Wilson in the 70s and 80s, with Giovanni Amati the last woman compete in 1992

But when Prema Racing’s Bianca Bustamante, an 18-year-old driver from the Philippines, is asked who her role model is, she excitedly says Niki Lauda, ​​three-time Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion. “I grew up watching him, for me he was the epitome of a champion. He was skilled, he was funny, he was incredibly talented,” she says.

Until that point, “there are a lot of very successful women in this park. They’re just not facing the camera,” Wolff says of their effort to raise the profile of female drivers.

Chloë Grace Moretz in Austin for the F1 Academy Series.

F1 Academy

Brad Pitt steps out in Mirrored Shades filming Formula 1 at the British Grand Prix

And Bustamante, who made her debut at the F4 Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Italy last May, could become one of a new generation of female drivers that young girls – as well as fans around the world – look up to.

“I found my calling in life very early,” says Bustamante, revealing that she was in her first go-kart at the age of 3. And, “by the time I was 5, I was already competing and winning national titles.”

Growing up, while her dad was away, her mother needed to help keep her dream alive. “My mom had to take care of me, but not only me, she also had to take care of the driver. So she would make me go to the gym. She said, ‘I’m hard on you because the world is going to be harder, so I want you to you climb up and face the world without fear,’ recalls the driver. – And because of that, I became fearless.

Living a disciplined life, Bustamante spends most of his time exercising, studying engineering or driving, explaining that “on the days you rest, your competitors are working hard.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Now Bustamante is one of the participants of the F1 Academy. She, along with 14 other drivers, were among those who competed in Austin.

Bustamante’s goal, she tells PEOPLE, is to get to F1 “just because I have the speed and the talent and the hard work to get there,” admitting that “it’s a long journey.” And so far she’s well on her way to achieving that, having just been named the latest member of McLaren’s Driver Development Program and will represent the British team during the 2024 F1 Academy season.

As Bustamante and others continue to move up the ladder with the F1 Academy, Wolff says now is “a moment in time where women’s sport is really gaining momentum”, adding that he hopes for a “catalyst to nurture talent and help them further their development path.”

That tipping point may not be far off, especially now that F1 Academy drivers seem to be gaining support and attention within the sport and Hollywood.

Lewis Hamilton with the F1 Women’s Academy.

F1 Academy

Logan Sargeant reacts to making American Formula 1 history: ‘What an experience’

During the Circuit of the Americas, Hamilton was seen in the women’s paddock and later congratulated driver Marta Garcia on becoming the first F1 Academy champion, while George Russell presented the trophies for one of the races. Additionally, celebrities such as Gayle King, Drew Barrymore and Chloë Grace Moretz were in Austin to support the women’s series.

Not only that, their races will soon be seen on screen. However, it will not be part of Netflix Formula 1: Drive to survive, which frequently features Wolff’s husband, Toto Wolff, team principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. Instead, the F1 Academy has signed its own deal with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine for “a docu-series full of adrenaline and story[ing] all fifteen drivers across five F1 Academy teams, offering exclusive behind-the-scenes access,” Formula 1 announced in May.

“The F1 Academy will drive change in the motorsport industry as we create the best possible structure to find and nurture female talent on and off the race track. We want to inspire women around the world to follow their dreams,” Wolff said in a statement at the time, noting that the partnering with the Oscar-winning production company — which filmed the entire weekend in Austin — will allow them to “reach a global audience and empower the next generation of young women to break barriers in motorsports and beyond.”

Although the F1 Academy has completed its final event of the season, next year’s series is not too far away, with a restart in Saudi Arabia on March 7. The schedule — which, according to the racing series, “will align with the F1 calendar, creating an opportunity for female drivers to participate in Formula 1 weekends” — will also include first stops in Miami, Qatar and Singapore, with Zandvoort and Barcelona returning for the second year for a combination of street and traditional trails.

Looking ahead, Wolff is focused on connecting more with local communities next season and how this will change the future of racing. “We’re going to do really significant work to make the sport more accessible and inspire the next generation of teammates,” she says. “But fundamentally,” she wants everyone to know, “there is a place for women in this sport.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education