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Female racers struggle for sponsors and track time after leaving F1's women-only series
Graduates face steep costs and scarce seats as no F1 Academy alum has reached Formula 2, officials and drivers said.
- Maya Weug, a 22-year-old former F1 Academy runner-up, has struggled to secure racing opportunities in 2026 after exiting the series, spending most of the year without a consistent team.
- F1 Academy subsidizes 82% of costs for drivers in modified Formula 4 cars, but graduates face high expenses entering top-level racing, with karting seasons costing $270,000 and F3 or F2 seasons requiring millions.
- With limited seats available, drivers and their sponsors must effectively bid against each other for spots, Weug said, noting, "All the money we're finding is to actually be able to race and show yourself."
- At least six of the 16 drivers from the inaugural 2023 season appear to have stopped racing competitively in 2026, while many F1 Academy graduates face similar career hurdles.
- Susie Wolff, F1 Academy managing director, said the series is challenging "perceptions and stereotypes" about women in motorsports, though she acknowledged it is "frustrating" that graduates have not yet achieved consistent success in reaching Formula 1 or Formula 2.
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Female racers struggle for sponsors and track time after leaving F1\0
Maya Weug poses for a photo at an F1 Academy race in Zandvoort, Netherlands, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Post) CORRECTED: location "at an F1 Academy race in Zandvoort" instead of during the World Rowing Championships in Znadvoort", and the City field: Zandvoort instead of Amsterdam.
·Baltimore, United States
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Total News Sources14
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
L 29%
C 64%
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