The all-female single-seater series F1 Academy has set up a new karting pathway to progress young talent.
F1 Academy, formed in 2023 to take the place left vacant from the now defunct W Series, sees an all-female field lineup in Formula 4-spec machinery, with the series serving as a proving ground for drivers to progress through the rest of the single-seater ladder.
However, F1 Academy Director Susie Wolff amongst others has held the notion that more female drivers need to be coming through in karting in order to increase the overall talent pool and find the next female Formula 1 driver.
But now, thanks to F1 Academy’s upcoming collaboration with international karting series Champions of the Future (COTF), on a new junior series, a new pathway is being set up to feed F1 new, younger talent.
Champions of the Future Academy Program (COTFA), will feature three mixed-gender categories, all with set age brackets.
F1 Academy will back three female drivers (who will sport F1 Academy overalls to further the promotion of the series and its goal to promote talent) in each category, Minis (ages 8-11), Juniors (ages 11-14) and Seniors (ages 14-17).
Those selected will get access to financial support for entry fees and the best three female drivers in the senior category will be offered the chance to an official F1 Academy test.
Beyond those supported by F1 Academy, COFTA will seek to level the playing field for all competitors.
A limit on entry fees and an engine and chassis lottery system will seek to ensure COFTA is as accessible as possible.
“COTFA will operate a lottery system for the chassis and engines plus implement a fixed budget, giving us the opportunity to identify the top talent across all age groups,” says Wolff.
“We will also provide the best in the senior category with an F1 Academy test, giving them a chance to prove themselves to our teams.
“Champions of the Future shares F1 Academy’s vision to increase female participation, create opportunity and allow clear progression up the motorsport ladder.”
F1 Academy is all set for its inaugural season finale in Austin this weekend, for its first race as part of the F1 support program, as well as its first live broadcast.
Next year, F1 Academy will be a full-time member of the F1 support package, with all seven rounds featuring on the Formula 1 calendar.
As well as this, in 2024, 10 of the 15 F1 Academy drivers will represent the colours of F1 teams, further strengthening the series’ place in global motorsport.
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