F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff discusses the “F1 Academy effect” in grassroots motorsports with female participation levels increasing to 25%.

Wolff took to the F1 Acacemy helm shortly before its inaugural season in 2023 and set out to diversify motorsport’s playing field.

In two years Wolff has sent two champions to FRECA and GB3, facilitated driver signings in F1 team driver programmes, and helped boost female participation levels in motorsport.

During an interview with Goodwood, Wolff explained: “We’ve never had so much female participation – 25 per cent – and when you speak to those in the world of karting, they’re calling it the F1 Academy effect.” 

“We’re giving that huge female fan base the impression that, ‘Okay, this sport isn’t just for men’, and I think that’s one of the big hurdles that we have to break down, particularly for the next generation.

“They need to see these young women in race suits, on the pit wall and in the garages for them to believe that they can do it.

“I don’t have the hard numbers and the data, but I certainly feel a wave of impact.”

The “F1 Academy effect” in karting

Not only does Wolff run the single-seater racing series, but she has also created several new opportunities for females participating in grassroots motorsport.

F1 Academy scouts female drivers from karting centres across the world, offering them sponsorships and connections with their number of high-profile partners.

Some of F1 Academy’s partners include Tommy Hilfiger, Charlotte Tilbury, Puma, Pirelli, Red Bull, and American Express.

Wolff continued: “With the huge exposure we’ve managed to gather in year one, and bearing in mind that we have nearly all the F1 broadcasters with us, the fact we’re racing with F1, that we have brands like Charlotte Tilbury and Tommy Hilfiger helping us reach a brand new audience, I think we really are changing that perception.

“I think we’ve achieved a lot this year. We’ve already announced we’re increasing to more cars for next season.

“So I think we’re off to a very solid start. But this is a long-term project, and we’ll only see the results kind of mid-term.

“So, it’s about continuing to progress, continuing to make sure we make the right decisions, to make sure, for example, that our champion progresses in the right way.”

Wolff on F1 Academy’s exposure for drivers

Exposure is not just limited to brands, female drivers spotted by F1 Academy have the chance of building relationships with F1 teams.

The sophomore season of F1 Academy saw the relationship with F1 broaden, with all ten teams required to sponsor an F1 Academy driver on the grid.

This has given drivers like Abbi Pulling and Doriane Pin the chance to be signed into both Alpine and Mercedes’ driver programmes respectively.

“I was always very ambitious with my plans for F1 Academy, racing, with F1, getting the F1 teams on board, and of course, it was up to us to show them that this was a platform that was going to be impactful.

“In the end, I don’t want the success of F1 Academy to be judged on if I get one girl into Formula 1.

“I think it will come down to finding that exceptional talent because to make it to F1 you need to be exceptional.

“But you also need to have the right trajectory, and that means having the funding, getting into the right team and getting noticed by the right people.

“The more that we are existing, the more the involvement from the Formula 1 teams, means they will know when we come across an outstanding talent.”

The third season of the all-female series is set to kick off on the 21st of March with a season-opener at the Shanghai International Circuit.

READ MORE – Red Bull sign Alisha Palmowski for 2025 F1 Academy assault

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F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff has responded to “baseless allegations” following news of an FIA investigation into her and husband Toto Wolff, amid claims of a conflict of interest.

Rival team principals have allegedly complained that Mercedes Team Boss Toto Wolff is privy to confidential information held by Formula One Management (FOM), which Susie receives access to.

Formula 1 and Mercedes have categorically denied the claims and Susie Wolff also made a lengthy statement.

“I am deeply insulted but sadly unsurprised by the public allegations that have been made this evening,” the former Team Principal and CEO of the Venturi Formula E team wrote on Tuesday.

“It is disheartening that my integrity is being called into question in such a manner, especially when it seems to be rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour, and focussed on my marital status rather than my abilities.

“Throughout my career in motorsport, I have encountered and overcome numerous obstacles and I refuse to let these baseless allegations overshadow my dedication and passion for F1 Academy.

“As a woman in this sport, I have faced my fair hair of challenges but my commitment to breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations to succeed remains unwavering.

“In the strongest possible terms, I reject these allegations.”

Wolff has risen to a high standing in the world of motorsport, with her position at F1 Academy cementing her place as an inspiration for girls and women of all ages looking to pursue a career in racing.

Her driving career saw Wolff compete in Formula Renault and DTM, before becoming the first woman in 22 years to take part in a Formula 1 weekend with a practice outing for Williams at the 2014 British Grand Prix.

Wolff also had another practice outing for Williams at the 2014 German Grand Prix, acquitting herself well with a 15th-place finish in that weekend’s FP1 session.

Following a retirement from racing in 2015, Wolff went on to found the Dare To Be Different initiative in 2016, aimed at inspiring and encouraging female participation in all levels and and roles within motorsport.

A year later, Wolff was awarded an MBE for services and contribution to women in sport and today spearheads the F1 Academy, which in 2024 will have every single round feature on the F1 support package, with all 10 F1 teams supporting drivers in the series.

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Formula 1 have announced that Susie Wolff has been appointed as the Managing Director of the F1 Academy which is hoping to help young female drivers progress to the higher levels of motorsport competition.

With the appointment of Wolff, F1 aim to demonstrate its commitment to maximising the opportunity and potential of young female drivers to reach the highest level in motorsport. The statement from Formula 1 also says that Wolff will offer drivers and teams a strong strategic approach combined with a unique insight that will enhance the structure that has already been put in place for F1 Academy.

Wolff is an experienced professional driver and most recently has gained team leadership experience through her tenure as Team Principal of the Venturi Formula E team.

In 2016, Wolff launched Dare To Be Different, a call to action that aims to inspire the next generation of female talent, and increase female participation in all aspects of motorsport.

In her role as Managing Director, Susie will report directly to F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali and will be responsible for spearheading the development of female motorsport talent with a focus on creating a successful pathway to higher categories in the F1 pyramid.

Bruno Michel remains as General Manager of the F1 Academy and will continue to report to Domenicali and while running the operational aspects of F1 Academy. He will also be the day-to-day liaison with teams relating to the technical and sporting side of the category.

On her appointment, Wolff said: “The F1 Academy presents an opportunity to promote genuine change in our industry by creating the best possible structure to find and nurture female talent on their journey to the elite levels of motorsport, both on and off the racetrack.

“There is a lot of work to be done but there is also a clear determination to get this right.  In doing so, I believe the F1 Academy can represent something beyond racing. It can inspire women around the world to follow their dreams and realise that with talent, passion and determination, there is no limit to what they can achieve.

“This is also the start of an important new chapter in my career, combining the experience I have developed so far with my passion for diversity and empowerment, so I would like to thank Stefano for entrusting me with a role that means as much to me personally as it does professionally.”

Stefano Domenicali believes that Wolff’s arrival will be a ‘huge benefit to us all’.

“We are committed to maximising the opportunities in our sport for anyone to reach their true potential and achieve their dreams,” he added.

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