Writer: Sofi Dawalibi
Editor: Mare Lara
F1 Academy has been laying the bricks to hopefully build up a bigger world for women in racing. “Based on the research we have done, there is no reason why a woman cannot compete. This is one of the beauties of the sport, that a man and a woman can compete on equal grounds. I believe there will be a woman in F1 in the future and I hope we can make that happen very soon” said an anonymous F1 coach, with such research conducted by More than Equal, a non-profit co-founded by Grand Prix winner David Coulthard. And truly there is no proof as to why women shouldn’t compete, and we have Susie Wolff to thank for F1 Academy’s furthering of that point.
Women being incorporated into Formula 1 is not just about representation when the matter is that racing is a skill-driven sport that both genders can master. IndyCar, NASCAR, and the W Series have already done it, so why can’t F1? It’s the perfect way to grow the sport and expand its market.
While we are waiting for the female drivers from the Academy to get more opportunities, it’s nice to see them honing their skills and developing all the preparations to evolve into something more broad. Let’s look at the women who are special contenders if female drivers are incorporated into F1 – or if there’s one created for them!
Abbi Pulling
There is no other driver who I could possibly start this list with. Abbi Pulling has been on a roll with her wins, besides doing a sweep with Singapore, Zandvoort, and Miami, she has also set the fastest time in the all-female FIA Formula E pre-season test. She made history in 2024 as the first woman to win a race in the British Formula 4 Championship.
Abbi’s dedication is like no other, only 22, she’s already taken part in the W Series as well as being the star of F1 Academy. Her personality is also entertaining to watch, every single one of her interviews displays a positive attitude. Pulling is an in-making household name and a prominent figure in the movement towards female drivers.
Doriane Pin
Doriane Pin is the most consistent F1 Academy driver there is. Her performances are solid, from the French Formula 4 Championship to the Formula Regional European Championship. She is competitive and bold, on top of that she is one of the most entertaining drivers to watch on Formula 1 Academy, as every risk she takes seems extremely calculated.
She climbed numerous podiums in the Michelin Le Mans Cup and then in 2022, the racer won the Trofeo Pirelli in the Ferrari Challenge Europe, the best season for points won. Pin is one of the only ones up there with Pulling, who certainly could be a contender for a future Formula 1 for women. A race between them in an even more competitive environment would be to die for.
Meya Weug
Belgian racing driver, Meya Weug, has had a promising season as she is driving for the prestigious Ferrari. Meya started her career in racing with a passed-down kart chassis, a tent, and selling old tires to join the other girls in motorsport at just 11 years old. Her ambition was shown as she was the first one to be selected for the Ferrari Driver Academy one of the most prestigious driver development programs in motorsport.
Weug is known for her work ethic, but truly her competitive spirit is showstopping. Though she has yet to secure major podiums, she’s third in standings, and the consistency will certainly pay off. If Ferrari sees potential in her, who am I to say otherwise?
Chloe Chambers
Chloe Chambers is an American driver who recently signed with Red Bull and Ford for the 2025 season of F1 Academy. Red Bull F1 Chief Christian Horner has only had good words to say about Chambers, who’s a former USA F4 and W Series racer. On the tracks, since she was 10, Chloe’s development has been beautifully prominent since she joined F1 Academy last year.
Still, in the early stages of her professional racing career, her racing is steady and adaptable, making Chloe a reliable racer. Though I believe that with Red Bull she might take more risks with next year’s season.
Lola Lovinfosse
Returning to this season in a Rodin Motorsport seat, Lola Lovinfosse is amongst the youngest girls in F1 Academy. At 18 years old, she’s already moved up the ladder when she participated in the Spanish F4 Championship, being in the top ten with a P13 at Portimao – unfortunately, the championship was cut short for lack of funding. – Then Lola scored a podium in the Indian Racing League.
Sadly Lovinfosse fractured her wrist from F1 Academy’s race in Miami earlier this year, but still managed to be selected for the 2024 Super Trofeo Junior Driver Program in July, in the fourth round of the championship she earned her first podium in the series, finishing third place.
Nina Gademan
Nina Gademan, a Swedish driver, has been building up her status in the F1 Academy since she was selected as a Wild Card entry in Zandvoort – where she scored points straight away. – Her experience in British Formula 4 where her skills have been shown, Gademan gruelled through the 24 Hours of Zolder endurance race.
In this year’s British F4 at Thruxton, Gademan claimed her first rookie podium on Race 1, scoring two points in the reverse grid race. With this momentum, I’m sure she’ll be more than a Wild Card for Formula 1 Academy.
Wildcard: Jamie Chadwick
Jamie Chadwick is an absolute phenomenon in racing, winning the inaugural W Series season in 2019, and a title in 2021 and 2022. If there were ever to be an F1 exclusively for women – even for those who are not a part of F1 Academy – she’d be the Wild Card. The British racing driver was the first woman to win a British F3 race in over ten years.
Not only is she an incredibly talented racer, but Chadwick also has been involved in various development programs to integrate women into racing, working with Aston Martin nonetheless. She has also been a part of the Williams Formula 1 Team’s development program. Jaime’s goal is to reach Formula 1, and there’s no denying her talent and ambition.
Women have proved themselves to be worthy of having a race that reaches millions of people, and it is about time that’s conceived to them.
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