F1 Academy: Ultimate Guide To The 2024 Season

Everything you need to know about F1 Academy ahead of its second season.

Author:
Lydia Mee
Publish date:
Mar 7, 2024

The 2024 F1 Academy season is upon us with the season-opener in Saudi Arabia this weekend.

The F1 Academy has unveiled its comprehensive plan for the 2024 season, blending the ambition of young talents with the seasoned expertise of returning competitors. This year's championship sees a significant transformation, with each of the ten Formula 1 teams nominating a driver to represent them, donning their respective liveries. This strategic move not only bridges the gap between the F1 Academy and the pinnacle of motorsport but also elevates the stature of the series.

Here is everything you need to know about the all-female racing series.

2024 F1 Academy Calendar

The 2024 F1 Academy calendar consists of seven race weekends, which all coincide with the Formula One race weekends. Kicking off the season is Saudi Arabia this weekend before they head to Miami in early May for the next round.

March 7-9: Saudi Arabia

May 3-5: Miami

June 21-23: Barcelona

August 23-25: Netherlands

September 20-22: Singapore

November 29 - December 1: Qatar

December 6-8: Abu Dhabi

Race Weekend Format

The race weekend will begin with one Free Practice session which will last for 40 minutes. Following the practice session will be a 30 minute Qualifying session. The drivers fastest laps in Qualifying will determine the starting grid for Race 1, and the drivers second fastest laps will determine the line-up for Race 2.

Each race will be for 30 minutes.

Points System

Two points will be awarded for each driver who takes pole position for Races 1 and 2.

The top 10 in both Race 1 and 2 will be awarded 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 points, respectively.

Similarly to Formula One, the driver who has the fastest lap in both Race 1 and 2 will receive 1 point, so long as they finish in the top 10.

Super Licence Points

In a bid to propel the drivers up through the driving ranks, 2024 has seen the introduction of Super Licence points.

At the end of the season, the top 5 drivers in the standings will receive FIA Super Licence points in the following format.

Winner - 10 points

Second place - 7 points

Third place - 5 points

Fourth place - 3 points

Fifth place - 1 point

Where To Watch

One of the main criticisms of the inaugural 2023 season was the fact that it was not broadcast making it difficult for fans to keep up with the on-track action. As part of the F1 Academy being closer aligned with Formula One in 2024, the all-female racing series will now be broadcast on various different platforms. The F1 Academy has shared how to watch from different locations.

Teams

Rodin Motorsport

For over two decades, Rodin Motorsport, formerly known as Carlin, has been a dominant force in motorsports, with an impressive track record of victories across a diverse range of championships, including British F3, Formula Renault 3.5, and the FIA F3 European Championship.

In early 2024, the team rebranded to Rodin Motorsport after receiving investment from David Dicker, enhancing its competitive edge and infrastructure, with its operations centered in Farnham, Surrey.

MP Motorsport

MP Motorsport, with a diverse team of over 20 nationalities, aims to become one of the top international racing teams by nurturing talent across all series beneath Formula 1 and maintaining a family-like yet professional ethos since its inception in 1994. The Dutch team is based in Westmaas.

Campos Racing

Campos Racing, a Spanish team based in Valencia, is dedicated to fostering emerging motorsport talents across multiple racing series, including F2, F3, F4, F1 Academy, and Eurocup 3.

ART Grand Prix

Established in 1996 as ASM F3 by Frédéric Vasseur (current Ferrari F1 team principal), ART Grand Prix evolved with a focus on nurturing emerging racing talents to excel in top-tier motorsport competitions. Since rebranding in 2004, the France-based team has become a dominant presence in F2, GP2, F3, and GP3 series, securing 20 team championships and 22 individual driver titles

Prema Racing

Established in 1983 by Angelo Rosin and Giorgio Piccolo, PREMA Racing has emerged as a top competitor in junior single-seater racing and is recognised as a major force in Italian motorsport. With successful engagements across various racing categories from Formula 2 to Formula 4, PREMA has forged significant partnerships with entities like Honda, Toyota, and Scuderia Ferrari, and has a distinguished alumni list including Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly.

Drivers

Lola Lovinfosse

Team: Rodin Motorsport

Supported by: Charlotte Tilbury

Lola Lovinfosse progressed from karting in 2018 to competing in the Spanish Formula 4 championship during 2021 and 2022, gaining significant track experience across Europe.

In her most recent season, she secured three podiums and finished within the top 10 in the Drivers' Standings, and will continue her career with Rodin Motorsport, sponsored by Charlotte Tilbury, in the F1 Academy.

Abbi Pulling

Team: Rodin Motorsport

Supported by: Alpine

Since transitioning to car racing in 2018, Abbi Pulling has rapidly climbed the ranks, finishing sixth in her first British F4 season and securing fourth in the W Series Standings in her second year.

Now a part of the Alpine Academy, she achieved seven podiums in the F1 Academy and a top five overall finish, and is set to pursue more achievements with Rodin Motorsport, under Alpine's sponsorship.

Jessica Edgar

Team: Rodin Motorsport

Jessica Edgar, coming from a racing lineage and karting since 2010, transitioned to GB4 in 2022, securing seventh place overall with consistent points finishes and a peak performance of second place at Oulton Park.

Following a successful debut in the F1 Academy with podiums in Spielberg, Monza, and Austin, culminating in her first victory, Edgar finished eighth in the Drivers' Standings and returns to compete with Rodin Motorsport this season.

Emely De Heus

Team: MP Motorsport

Supported by: Red Bull

Emely De Heus, who clinched the 2020 Dutch Wintercup Senior karting championship, progressed to single-seater racing in Spanish F4, followed by a points-scoring debut in W Series in 2022, and competing in the F1 ACADEMY with MP Motorsport.

For 2024, De Heus continues with MP Motorsport, now with the support of the Red Bull Ford Academy Programme, after finishing ninth in the overall standings last year.

Hamda Al Qubaisi

Team: MP Motorsport

Supported by: Red Bull

Hamda Al Qubaisi aims for the championship this year with MP Motorsport under Red Bull Racing, following her top-three performance last season.

Transitioning from four years in karting to Italian F4 and achieving three wins in the F4 UAE for a fourth-place overall, Al Qubaisi also took part in the FIA F3 all-women's test in 2022, alongside competing in the Formula Regional European and Asian Championships.

Amna Al Qubaisi

Team: MP Motorsport

Supported by: Visa Cash App RB

Amna Al Qubaisi, who began her racing career in karting in 2014, showcasing talent in various international competitions, advanced to Italian F4 in 2018 and has since participated in F4 UAE, F3 Asian, and Formula Regional European Championships.

Recently, she joined forces with her sister Hamda at MP Motorsport in the F1 ACADEMY, securing two victories and finishing sixth in the standings, and is set for her second season, backed by Visa Cash App RB.

Chloe Chambers

Team: Campos Racing

Supported by: Haas

For the 2024 F1 Academy season, 19-year-old Chloe Chambers will compete with support from Haas, forming an all-American duo.

After beginning in karting at age eight and transitioning to single-seaters in 2021, Chambers expanded her experience with stints in the W Series, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, and the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship, where she made history as the first female polesitter and winner, further distinguished by a Guinness World Record for the fastest vehicle slalom at 16.

Carrie Schreiner

Team: Campos Racing

Supported by: Sauber

Carrie Schreiner, who started her career in karting, moved to single-seater racing with the 2015 ADAC Formula 4 season and later found success in GT and endurance racing, including a Pro-Am class win in the 2018 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Middle-East and a class victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2021.

Last season, Schreiner ventured into the F1 Academy, clinching her first win in Zandvoort, and is now set to continue her momentum with Campos Racing under the Sauber Academy for her upcoming season.

Nerea Martí

Tommy Hilfiger - F1 Academy — F1 Academy Press Image

Team: Campos Racing

Supported by: Tommy Hilfiger

Martí, who initiated her karting journey at 9 and progressed to Spanish F4 in 2019 with a debut podium, excelled in the W Series as the top rookie in 2021 and clinched her first W Series pole in her second season.

In her standout maiden F1 Academy season, Martí captured her first pole, multiple podiums, and a race win in Le Castellet, concluding the season fourth overall and is set to represent Tommy Hilfiger with Campos Racing in the upcoming season, sporting the brand's iconic red, white, and blue.

Bianca Bustamante

Team: ART Grand Prix

Supported by: McLaren

Bianca Bustamante is now the first female in the McLaren Racing Driver Development Programme. Starting her journey in karting at just three years old and amassing numerous titles, Bustamante transitioned to single-seaters and was the top rookie in her W Series debut, later joining F1 Academy with PREMA Racing where she notched two wins and additional podiums, finishing seventh in the overall standings.

Aurelia Nobels

Team: ART Grand Prix

Supported by: Puma

Aurelia Nobels, embodying Brazil's racing spirit, has advanced from karting to become the sole female on the 2022 Brazilian F4 grid, showcasing her dedication to her racing career.

Her victory in the 2022 FIA Girls On Track – Rising Stars programme earned her a place in the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, leading to her European racing ventures and a forthcoming debut in the F1 Academy with PUMA and ART Grand Prix.

Lia Block

Team: ART Grand Prix

Supported by: Williams

Lia Block shifts from off-road and rally racing to open-wheel as she embarks on her inaugural single-seater season in 2024, following a diverse background that began in karting and off-road racing at the age of 11.

After making history as the youngest American Rally Association Champion at 17, Block is set to race in the #57 Williams car with ART Grand Prix and has been inducted into the Williams Racing Driver Academy.

Tina Hausmann

Team: Prema Racing

Supported by: Aston Martin

Tina Hausmann, who discovered her passion for racing at the age of seven in Switzerland, quickly progressed from karting to making a notable entrance in the Formula Winter Series, securing a podium in her first weekend.

Her achievements in the Italian F4 and Euro 4 Championships as the top female driver led to her selection for the Aston Martin F1 ACADEMY team, where she will compete in the #19 car with the prestigious PREMA Racing this season.

Doriane Pin

Team: Prema Racing

Supported by: Mercedes

Doriane Pin has transitioned from dominating endurance racing and karting to making her mark in single seaters, including notable performances in the Formula 4 South East Asian and UAE Championships.

Now aligned with the Mercedes F1 Team Junior Programme and racing with PREMA Racing, the 20-year-old French talent is set to continue her ascendancy in motorsport, aiming for the pinnacle of success in her new arena.

Maya Weug

Team: Prema Racing

Supported by: Ferrari

Maya Weug, who began karting at seven and transitioned through various championships to become the first female inducted into the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy via the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars programme, has shown promise in single seaters with points in Italian and German F4 and participation in the Formula Regional European Championship.

For the 2024 F1 Academy season, Weug, now racing under the Dutch flag, will compete in Ferrari's iconic red with PREMA Racing, aiming to further her motorsport career.