Lewis Hamilton opens up as every F1 team set to field driver in fledgling series

28 July 2023 , 06:00

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Lewis Hamilton shared his thoughts on the changes announced for the F1 Academy series (Image: Hasan Bratic/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

All 10 Formula 1 teams will field a driver in the all-female F1 Academy series next season.

F1 Academy was launched at the start of this year and is approaching the final rounds of its maiden campaign. Just two rounds remain – three races at Le Castellet in France this weekend, before the trio rounding off the season in Austin, in October.

That Texas finale promises to be the biggest round of the season for the series. As well as being its climax, where the inaugural champion will be crowned, it will also be the first round to take place as a support event for F1 itself.

From next year there will be more F1 Academy racing taking place on Grand Prix weekends. And that is not the only extra involvement the top single-seater category will have in the groundbreaking all-female series.

All 10 F1 teams will field a single driver in the 2024 campaign, while their liveries will also be on the cars that they drive. The other five seats on the grid will be filled by other partners.

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The five teams, ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, MP Motorsport, PREMA Racing and Rodin Carlin, are set to continue in the series. It is not yet known at which of those outfits at which the 10 F1 teams will place their competitors.

The news was well received by Lewis Hamilton, who told reporters in Belgium that he was "really happy to hear of the progress being made". He also heaped praise upon Susie Wolff, who is F1 Academy's managing director.

He said: "I think it's been great. Having Susie in there, who was a phenomenal driver, so has the perspective from a driver side, but also she's been a team owner. She's really fighting for that inclusivity. So I think it's really great the steps that were taken and really happy to hear that all of Formula 1 is on board."

Wolff herself added: "I want to thank the Formula 1 teams for their support and vision as we embark on this journey together. This landmark moment not only demonstrates the depth of support for F1 Academy from across the F1 community but will inspire a whole generation of young girls to realise the opportunities both on and off track in motorsport.

"As we join the F1 calendar for next year and host F1 Academy Discover Your Drive events in the lead up to our races, I am confident that we will have a positive impact across our sport in the long term."

Daniel Moxon