F1 teams extend F1 Academy contract

The Formula 1 teams have agreed to extend their commitment to back the all-female F1 Academy series beyond this season.

The current contracts, which started in 2024, were due to come to an end this year, but the F1 Academy has announced a new “multi-year” partnership that will see all F1 teams back drivers in the championship.

The new Cadillac team, who are entering F1 next season, have also joined the existing 10 teams in backing the Academy.

In addition, the F1 Academy is relaxing its rule that prevents drivers staying in the series for more than two years.

This is said to be a “tailored approach to nurturing talent”. It will be “granted exclusively to drivers whose performance indicates potential for continued growth throughout a third campaign”.

The Academy was founded to provide a stepping stone into motorsport for women and to widen the appeal of the sport in an attempt to increase the pool of female drivers.

Susie Wolff, the managing director of the F1 Academy, said: “We’re not just providing a platform for the current generation of female drivers; together we’re building a pathway to support generations of talent to come.

“We continue to be impressed by the depth of female talent coming out of the world of karting and are encouraged by the growth and strength of the emerging talent pool.”

The Academy started in 2023 racing separately from F1. From 2024, it was put on to the support bill at a number of grands prix and all the F1 teams supported drivers, whose cars were painted in the colours of their team.

Reigning champion Abbi Pulling was backed by Alpine when she won the title in 2024. The Briton graduated to the GB3 championship in 2025.