Stefano Domenicali said the aim was to get a female driver into F1.
(Picture: Getty Images)Formula One has launched an all-female driver series for the 2023 season.
The F1 Academy will act as a platform to pave the way for young women racers to progress to the likes of W Series, plus the junior F2 and F3 series with a view to once again welcoming female drivers into F1 in the future.
The series will begin next year and be made up of five teams with three cars each and a maxium grid of 15. It is expected one of its races on the calendar will run alongside an F1 grand prix weekend.
F1 will subsidise each driver by £130,000 per season with drivers expected to bring a similar budget to the programme and teams meeting the remaining finances required.
The drivers on the grid will all drive cars made up of a Tatuus T421 chassis, with a 165bhp engine provided by Autotecnica and Pirelli tyres.
F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “Everyone should have the opportunity to follow their dreams and achieve their potential and Formula 1 wants to ensure we are doing everything we can to create greater diversity and routes into this incredible sport.
“That is why I am delighted to announce the F1 Academy that will give young female drivers the best chance to fulfil their ambitions through a comprehensive programme that supports their racing careers and gives them everything they need to move into F3 and hopefully to F2 and then the pinnacle of Formula 1.”
