F1 Academy, Hello Sunshine and Netflix accelerate action for women in motorsport via F1: The Academy series

Here's some fabulously exciting news!

The drive to Accelerate Action for women in motorsport moves from not only on the track, to now on the screen.

A new seven-part series following female drivers as they battle it out across the 2024 F1 Academy season is coming to Netflix.

Produced by Reese Witherspoon’s brilliant Hello Sunshine media company in partnership with F1 Academy, the Netflix eries F1: The Academy puts women at the center of one of the most exciting sports in the world and tells a new kind of racing story.

Thanks to the success of series such as Drive to Survive, Formula 1 is a major draw for documentaries, giving viewers new, immersive insights into this exciting sport. Plus, with the rapid rise of female F1 fans and influencers, the F1: The Academy series will certainly prove inspiring, informative, and compelling viewing.

Few series can claim to have made such strident steps forward to achieving their mission in the way F1 Academy has. "Changing perceptions of a woman’s place in motorsport and funnelling the next generation of female talent towards Formula 1 was never going to be an overnight fix," reports the Formula One website. "But, for F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff, change is already afoot. As the all-female series prepares to enter its third season, and in honour of International Women’s Day, she discusses how F1 Academy is accelerating action and fostering a pathway for female talent both on and off the track." Read more here.

Breaking barriers in one of the most demanding sports

Through the global, seven-part series, fans get exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to the all-women driving category, highlighting the drama of the races, as well as the personal stories and high stakes for the drivers, their teams, sponsors, and families involved, as they break barriers in one of the most demanding sports in the world.

For the women featured in F1: The Academy, these races are a chance to change motorsports for the better. The series tracks rivalries, setbacks, victories, and both the quiet and emotionally-charged moments in between, revealing what it really takes to succeed in the high-octane world of Formula 1.

"We want to be the rocket fuel that drives female participation in our sport, both on and off the track. To have the F1 Academy series launch globally with Netflix is not just a huge step forward in visibility for our mission, but also a resounding statement about the momentum and demand for women’s sport. We want to inspire and empower the next generation of young women, and Netflix will open up F1 Academy to a global audience of existing and future fans,” said F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff, MBE.

Leading a new generation of women drivers

As one of the most respected women in motorsport, Susie Wolff leads the new generation women drivers with a powerful combination of strategic vision and firsthand experience.

Susie is at the center of the series, as a former professional driver and the first woman to participate in a Formula 1 weekend in 22 years. She executively-produced the series alongside Ian Holmes and Isabelle Stewart for F1, with Reese Witherspoon, Sara Rea, and Sarah Lazenby as Executive Producers for Hello Sunshine.

Increasing global visibility and coverage

This highly-anticipated series is a huge leap forward for equality in motorsport, greatly increasing global visibility and coverage.

The 2024 season of F1 Academy is being broadcast in over 160 territories and streamed live on F1 Academy’s YouTube and X channels and via F1 TV, bringing the series and its mission to fans globally.

Created by Formula 1 and supported by the Formula One teams, F1 Academy is a starting ground for young women in motorsport, built to help them grow their skills and move up the ranks - from Formula 4 to Formula 3, and maybe even all the way to F1. F1 Academy was founded to accelerate the identification and progression of female talent in motorsport - both on and off the track. The F1 Academy Racing Series is a Formula 4 level series designed to find and nurture female racing talent, giving drivers access to track time, mental and physical support and an unparalleled platform to compete alongside Formula 1. F1 Academy Discover Your Drive is a global initiative committed to promoting and increasing female participation in motorsport, igniting and inspiring the inner drive of young female talent.

Changing the narrative for women

Founded by Reese Witherspoon, Hello Sunshine is on a mission to change the narrative for women.

"If you want to change the stories, you need to change the storytellers," says Reese.

Hello Sunshine aims to broaden perspective and empower women by giving them authorship, inspiring agency, and creating a platform to help them shape culture and the world around them. Hello Sunshine believes in the power of story to broaden perspectives and change the world for women. "We bring original, distinctive, entertaining and important women-centered stories into the light," says the Hello Sunshine website. "Every day we live in service of our mission supporting women who have unique voices and lived experiences to knock down doors, push boundaries, and break ceilings."

Hello Sunshine is made up of a team with many perspectives and a shared vision to change the narrative for women through story. They are storytellers, culture-shapers and change-makers that believe connection, creativity and humor can brighten the world while creating lasting change. Hello Sunshine is breaking traditional boundaries by offering brands a unique opportunity to engage women through innovation and exceptionally collaborative partnerships at the intersection of entertainment, storytelling, commerce and community.

"We started Hello Sunshine to change the narrative for women, and Susie Wolff and F1 Academy are doing just that by creating new opportunities in the thrilling world of motorsport. As these dynamic and fearless drivers break barriers behind the wheel, we are excited to partner with Netflix to tell the stories of these powerhouse leaders. What we know is that when we put women at the center, people show up to watch," commented Founder of Hello Sunshine, Reese Witherspoon.

An adrenaline-fuelled series putting women in the front seat

With the backing of industry giants like Netflix, Hello Sunshine, and F1 Academy, the F1: The Academy series is steering positive change for women in motorsport.

The adrenaline-fuelled series puts women in the front seat, proving that driving talent isn’t defined by gender, and that the fast lane is open to all. Buckle up, and enjoy the ride - F1: The Academy premieres on May 28 exclusively on Netflix.

So grab your popcorn, get your friends and family together, settle back, and enjoy watching as F1 Academy Accelerate Action for women in motorsport, on and off the track.