In the iconic movie “Mean Girls,” Regina George famously tells a character to stop trying to make “fetch” happen because it’s not going to. This phrase has since become a meme for things that are hopelessly unwanted by the public like Google+ and Android tablets.
In 2022, the W Series, a female-only open-wheel racing league using Formula 3 cars, declared bankruptcy and canceled its season. Many in the racing world had warned against the idea of women’s-only pro racing, saying it wouldn’t succeed.
Despite the failure of the W Series, Formula One introduced the F1 Academy, where female drivers compete in slower F4 cars as part of Formula 2 events. This move was met with criticism as there are already other leagues that allow women to participate without any restrictions.
The real barriers to entry in racing are financial, not gender-related. It can cost over a million dollars to train a child for racing, and sponsorship is essential for advancing in the sport. Physical challenges also exist, as some female athletes may struggle to drive Formula One cars at their limit for an entire race.
F1 Academy seems to be more about performative wokeness and maintaining the sport’s image than genuinely providing opportunities for female drivers. The reality is that the pool of female drivers interested in pursuing racing at the highest level is smaller than their male counterparts.
In the end, F1 Academy may not achieve its intended goals and could face comparisons to other female drivers who have excelled in mixed-gender competition. The true purpose of F1 Academy appears to be more about business continuity than genuine progress in promoting female drivers in Formula One.
