Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cursing, brands as women race through gender barriers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
F1: The Academy
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
F1: THE ACADEMY is a seven-part docuseries that follows women in an all-female motorsport racing series designed to help them break into higher levels of Formula One racing. Created by motorsport pioneer Susie Wolff in 2023 with the support of the Formula One Group, F1 Academy is a Formula 4 (F4) racing championship series that provides the drivers with two years of track time along with technical, physical, and mental support to prepare them for competition. Now 15 talented women from around the world are participating in the academy's 2024 season in hope of racing onto winners podiums and earning points needed to qualify for Formula 1 (F1) racing. Each driver works with one of the 10 F1 teams and races under their respective livery. Those completing their second and final year of the academy hope to perform well enough to progress to a higher tier of racing, such as the GB3, in order to get closer to F3 and continue their way up. The winner of the F1 Academy championship at the end of each season is guaranteed progression to a higher tier, and receives a fully-funded seat (has all her costs covered) during the next racing season. There's a lot at stake, and these drivers are working hard to drive through the patriarchal barriers that have kept women out of motorsport for so long.
Is It Any Good?
The high-energy docuseries tells the stories of rising women competing in F1 Academy's 2024 season. F1: The Academy celebrates that the academy was created to even out the field of Formula One racing for qualified women, and how it can increase (but not guarantee) their chances of building a strong career by competing at the highest levels. Some of the drivers note the expense to participate in F1 Academy (roughly $115K) and discuss the ongoing financial hurdles that have the potential to sideline their racing dreams regardless of their talent. Not surprisingly, this puts additional pressure on them to perform well enough to attract potential sponsors.
Some of the drivers, such as Bianca Bustamente, divide their time between racing and building their social media brand to provide some financial security. Others, like Abbi Pulling, rely almost exclusively on prize money to keep them going, while some drivers, like Amna Al Qubaisi, come from racing families and enjoy more financial assistance. This isn't a problem unique to women, but it does remind viewers that gender is not the only obstacle to participation in the sport. F1: The Academy offers lots of interesting insights into what it takes to have a successful racing career, but it's the chance to watch the drivers race against each other that makes it fun. Racing fans of all ages should appreciate it, but young female racing fans will delight in it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the reasons women have a difficult time breaking into F1 racing. Do you think F1 will be more gender inclusive in the future? Why, or why not?
F1: The Academy offers participating drivers good opportunities to improve their racing. What do drivers have to contribute to maximize those opportunities and move forward?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 28, 2025
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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