F1 Academy Announces Huge Move To Support Junior Series

The move expects to encourage female participation in the sport.

In a huge move to support the junior series, F1 Academy announced a partnership with the international karting series Champions Of The Future (COTF) to support the launch of a new junior series-Champions of the Future Academy Program (COTFA), which also includes select participants from Discover Your Drive. 

The global initiative is looking to increase female participation and compete in national and international karting competitions by destroying the barriers that prevent smooth participation.

For financial relief to participants, COTFA will implement cost control measures which include a limit on entry fees, and an engine and chassis lottery system. This would reduce financial requirements for competitors. 

Speaking of the series, it would comprise of three mixed-gender categories- Minis for participants aged 8-11, Juniors for participants aged 11-14, and Seniors for participants aged 14-17. The series aims for its participants to compete in six doubleheader race weekends across the world, with at least one race taking place outside Europe.

F1 Academy Press Image

F1 Academy is said to support three female drivers in each category who will receive financial support with entry fees. They will participate in the series wearing race suits that display the F1 Academy branding, which would also reflect on their karts. In addition, the three best female drivers in the Seniors category will be invited to an official F1 Academy test. 

When it joins the F1 calendar next season in 2024, the F1 Academy will utilize the COFTA platform to raise awareness about F1 Academy's 'Discover Your Drive' youth participation and talent identification initiatives.

Champions of the Future President James Geidel will work closely with Susie Wolff to support talent identification at junior levels. This would help promising Karters who display the required traits and skills to progress through the junior levels. 

For the future, the F1 Academy looks to increase the pipeline of scarce female talent on and off the track. COTFA is said to be the latest initiative by the academy to help young talent access the sport, especially for young girls who intend to pursue a future in motorsport.