Formula 1 chiefs have released more details about its new F1 Academy, set to launch this year.
The new feeder series is designed to give female racers a new patch up the single-seater ranks. It has been created to augment the W Series rather than replace it, with the long-term aim of helping women drivers to one day compete in F1.
It was announced in December that five teams have signed up to take part. ART, Campos, Carlin, MP Motorsport and Prema are all well established competitors in other junior series, and are locked in to each field with three drivers in the F1 Academy per year until at least 2025.
While the race calendar and driver line-ups are yet to be revealed, more information about the series was released on Wednesday. Most important was confirmation that the F1 Academy will slot below Formula 3 in the pecking order on the path to F1.
A total of 15 drivers will be involved in the series, three representing each team. There will be seven events with three races at each, meaning 21 in total across the maiden season. At least one of those events will take place at an F1 Grand Prix weekend, though it has not yet been decided which.
The drivers will compete in standardised chassis, powered by a turbocharged four cylinder engine with 165 brake horsepower. As is the case with F1, Pirelli will serve as the manufacturer of the 13-inch tyres to be used in the F1 Academy.
Driver budgets for the series have been capped at £133k – the same figure F1 will be contributing to the series in financial support per car. Organisers say competitors will be prepared "technically, physically and mentally" to compete in high-level motorsport, and will also be given "significant" testing and track time.
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali described the new series as a "fantastic opportunity to young and talented women". He said: "We believe it is important that everyone has the chance to follow their ambitions and get the support and guidance needed to progress and excel.
"The F1 Academy is an important part of our plan to increase diversity and representation in motorsport and we are looking forward to the first season in 2023 and stay tuned for more news in this area."
