Move Over, Lewis Hamilton — Netflix’s F1: The Academy Accelerates Women’s Racing

If you thought Formula 1 was all men, million-dollar contracts, and Monaco yacht parties, think again. Netflix’s latest motorsports docuseries, F1: The Academy, smashes stereotypes by putting the spotlight squarely on a new wave of fearless, talented women drivers taking control of the track — and the narrative.

The even-part series follows the real-life drama, grit, and glory of the 2024 F1 Academy season. It’s the next evolution of high-octane storytelling from the platform that gave fans Drive to Survive, but this time the story isn’t just about horsepower — it’s about history in the making.

At the helm of this revolution is motorsports trailblazer Susie Wolff. Once a Formula 1 development driver, Susie Wolff now serves as the managing director of the F1 Academy. Her mission? To pave the road for young women navigating the world’s most elite racing circuits. With Susie Wolff’s mentorship and executive production from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, F1: The Academy delivers an electrifying and emotional look at what it takes to challenge a male-dominated sport from the inside out.

Meet the Women Changing the Game

The series introduces a dynamic cast of F1 women drivers from around the world. From 18-year-old Lia Block of Team Williams, a former rally champion, to 26-year-old German veteran Carrie Schreiner of Campos Racing, each competitor brings a unique skill, backstory, and ambition to the grid.

Highlights include:

Bianca Bustamante (McLaren): A 20-year-old phenom and the first female driver in McLaren’s development program.

Abbi Pulling (Alpine): A British podium regular fighting for her future.

Doriane Pin (Mercedes): The aptly nicknamed “Pocket Rocket,” dominating after a blistering endurance racing career.

The Al Qubaisi Sisters (RB & Red Bull): Amna and Hamda, from the UAE, are breaking cultural and motorsport barriers together.

Each episode offers cinematic race footage, behind-the-scenes training, personal setbacks, and the raw emotional weight of fighting not just for a title, but for a place in a sport that’s only just opening its doors.

 

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Why You Should Watch

F1: The Academy is more than just a sports doc — it’s a movement on wheels. It showcases what happens when young women are given the tools, training, and visibility to compete at the highest level. With global teams like Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes backing these drivers, this isn’t a side story — it’s the future of motorsport.

Ready to go full throttle? Stream Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine produced F1: The Academy is now on Netflix, and witness the rise of Formula 1’s next generation — fast, fearless, and female.