Over recent years, many more women have begun racing cars, specifically in the Formula 1 academy and Indy NXT. There are mixed reactions to the new addition to the sport. Some enjoy it and think it will be beneficial for F1, while others may not agree with women starting to race in F1.
The F1 Academy is an all-female series launched in 2023 to promote advancements for women in higher-level racing, such as F3, F2, or possibly even F1. In the current 2025 season, 18 women are racing in the F1 Academy. It is designed to help increase female participation in the male-dominated sport. However, racers in F1 Academy are only allowed to race for two seasons to allow for more racers to join the series.
Michelle Barron is a female race car driver and F1 enthusiast. She believes that women should have the same opportunities as men in F1.
“Women should and do have the opportunity to compete at the F1 level,” Barron said. “However, historically, there has been less interest in investing in women than their male counterparts. I think it has been much harder for a woman to prove herself and get the sponsorship needed to be able to focus on training, et cetera. It is an extremely expensive sport.”
On May 28, a show named F1: The Academy was released on Netflix for F1 enthusiasts to watch. The show featured female racers who are currently participating in the F1 Academy, showcasing not only drivers’ highlights but also their background and motives. It is meant to inspire women and show what they can do in the sport to help shift perceptions and viewpoints.
Despite efforts to increase female participation, the last female F1 racer to enter a race was Giovanna Amati in 1992. Besides F1 and the F1 Academy, there are two female racers in the Indy NXT series and one female racing in NASCAR currently. Miles Dille, an Austin High freshman, enjoys F1 and has attended many races.
“I think they will [race soon], maybe like a decade, maybe more, because there’s not any in the higher rookie series right now, but there’s a driver in IndyCar and Nascar who is a girl,” Dille said.
Although there aren’t expected to be any female F1 racers this year, the F1 Academy is working hard to try to incorporate women into professional racing. Leonardo Offenberg, an F1 and car enthusiast who loves watching motorsports, spoke about his perspective on the F1 community.
“It’ll [Formula 1] gain not just more fans but it’ll also form more respect and a better public view on F1, and knowing that it’s a good community and that it’s friendly to all,” Offenburg said.
In order to race in the F1 Academy, racers must undergo extensive training in and out of the Driver-in-Loop simulator, which replicates real F1 cars with realistic physics to help ensure a realistic racing experience. The racers also face mental and physical preparation for the F1 Academy, learn how to prepare for interviews, engage with fans, and learn how to build their public profile.
Drivers face high-speed G-forces, rapid deceleration, and extreme temperatures inside the cockpit. The demands of controlling a car for nearly two hours at 200 mph while maintaining precise concentration and reflexes require a unique blend of strength, endurance, and flexibility, according to V12 Retail Solutions. To face these challenges, racers must master the braking points and be able to control their vehicle in various weather conditions.
“I think the biggest misconception is that women are not as physically capable and/or mentally more self-preserving than men,” Barron said. “There are clearly many women who possess high-level competitiveness in both. I think F1 recognizes that. Physical differences become less immaterial for driving than in other sports; however, training includes a lot of physical strength and endurance. I don’t think the rules should be changed to qualify. Women are physically capable.”
Although it may take some time, many are excited for the inclusion of women in the sport. The addition of female racers could inspire racers and continue to expand access to the sport for future generations.
