F1 Academy Breaks the Mold: All-Women Racing League Hits Netflix with Red Bull in the Driver’s Seat
Streaming the Revolution
Netflix has dropped a new docuseries, F1: The Academy, giving viewers a front-row seat to motorsport’s boldest new chapter — a racing league just for women. Launched in 2023 and backed by Formula 1, F1 Academy is already changing the game. The series, created with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, takes fans behind the scenes of the 2024 season, with emotional stories, competitive grit, and a look at how this league is rewriting the rules.
How the League Works
F1 Academy is built for women, ages 16 to 25, who get two seasons max to prove themselves. Each of the six teams runs three identical Formula 4-level cars. The 2025 calendar features seven race weekends — each one tied to an official F1 Grand Prix — giving the drivers major exposure and top-tier experience.
Each weekend includes two practice sessions, a qualifying round, and two races. The first race flips the top 8 qualifiers, encouraging overtakes and action. The second race follows traditional F1 scoring. A rotating “wild card” driver also gets a one-time shot at competing in front of a home crowd, which can lead to a full-time seat.
Red Bull’s Full Throttle Plan
Red Bull isn’t just a sponsor — they’re going all in. Julia George, Director of Partnerships, said Red Bull has built a full strategy around the F1 Academy. “We care, and we’re integrating them into what we do,” she said. That includes training, visibility, and long-term investment.
For Red Bull, this is about more than ROI. “You’re in it for the storytelling,” George said. The brand sees women’s motorsport as a space with huge potential — just like women’s soccer a decade ago.
More Than Just a Show
The Netflix series puts a spotlight on the league’s rising stars — including Bianca Bustamante and Abbi Pulling — and doesn’t shy away from the challenges of building something new. The first episode kicks off at the Miami Grand Prix and shows the real pressure these young women face on and off the track.
When storms canceled a Miami race, the league didn’t just move on — they fought for a makeup race in Canada, proving that equal opportunity isn’t just a slogan; it’s the mission.
What’s Next
F1 Academy is only in its third year, but it’s already setting new standards. With global streaming, big-name sponsors, and Red Bull pushing for more, the league is paving a new path for women in motorsport — and it’s only the beginning.
