Today Formula 1 announced Susie Wolff as the managing director of the F1 Academy series, which will launch next month.
The F1 academy aims to develop and prepare young female drivers for a career in motorsport whilst also acting as a stepping stone, towards a more diverse Formula 1 grid.
The new series was announced back in November 2022 and will feature 5 teams, 15 drivers and 21 races in an all-female driver series.
WHY WOLFF?
Wolff is an incredible role model for women, on and off the track. Whilst her motorsport experience as a driver and team leader, make her the perfect person to take on this role.
Wolff is a former Williams test driver and DTM racer, but most recently she served as team principle and CEO for the Venturi Formula E squad. But arguably, her biggest success was the creation of the ‘Dare To Be Different’ initiative, a program designed to boost female participation in motorsport, not only on track but in all aspects of the sport. A sport which for so long, has been considered a ‘man’s world’.
In her new capacity as managing director Wolff will report to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali alongside FIA F2 and F3 boss Bruno Michel. She will be responsible for spearheading the development of female talent and gives her the platform to continue to push for genuine change in the industry.
F1 ACADEMY IS A DRIVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
The season will kickstart at the Red Bull Ring (Spielberg, Austria) on April 28th followed by rounds at Valencia, Barcelona, Zandvoot, Monza and Le Castellet.
During each race weekend drivers will compete in 3 races, with grid positions set during a pair of 15 minute qualifying sessions.
The grid for race one will be set by the first qualifying session and race three by the second. Whilst race two’s starting order will be the finish of race one with the top eight reversed.
Races one and three of the weekend will be 30 minutes, race two will be 20 minutes. Points for races one and three follow the same format as F1 (25 for the winner, 18 for second etc) while race two’s winner will receive 10 points, second 8, third 6 continuing down to 1 for eight.
Confused? You’re not alone. The format will certainly take some getting used to, but its safe to say we are in for a treat.
Having called it an ‘important new chapter’ in her career, this is a fantastic opportunity for Wolff to share her passion for diversity and empowerment and I for one could not be happier to see her leading the way!