Feature
Returning title favourites and highly rated debuts – Introducing the 2024 F1 ACADEMY grid
If there’s one thing you won’t want to miss, it’s the 2024 F1 Academy season. History is being made, as 15 of the brightest up-and-coming female racers battle it out in the series’ second campaign.
Huge excitement surrounds F1 Academy as they kick things off at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, joining the Formula 1 support bill for the seven-round season. You won’t have a hard time spotting the stars of the new-look grid, as all 10 F1 teams have backed their own drivers for the first time, alongside the Official Partner-liveried cars.
Let’s meet the talent-packed field aiming to follow in the footsteps of 2023 Champion Marta Garcia and progress her way up the road to F1.
READ MORE: F1 ACADEMY 2024 season to be broadcast in over 160 territories and streamed live globally
PREMA Racing
#19 – Tina Hausmann (Aston Martin)
#28 – Doriane Pin (Mercedes)
#64 – Maya Weug (Ferrari)
Plenty of attention is on the reigning Drivers’ and Teams’ Champion, who have opted for one of the most exciting line-ups on the grid. The only team not to feature at least one returning driver, they’ve paired experience and speed in their quest to do the double once more.
Aston Martin's Tina Hausmann is looking to hone her craft in only her second season in single seaters and could be a dark horse as the year progresses. Meanwhile, Doriane Pin is expected to be a leading title contender, having already taken victories in F4 South East Asia and UAE as she manages the transition between endurance and F1 Academy. The first female member of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, expect Maya Weug to be in with her own shot at glory.
MP Motorsport
#7 – Emely de Heus (Red Bull Ford)
#8 – Hamda Al Qubaisi (Red Bull Racing)
#88 – Amna Al Qubaisi (Visa Cash App RB)
Three proven race winners on their books, MP Motorsport are sticking with the tried and true as they retain their 2023 line-up for another year. Off the back of her top three finish last year after fighting back from injury, Red Bull Racing’s Hamda Al Qubaisi will be looking to go two better a second time around.
Alongside her, her sister Amna Al Qubaisi and the Netherlands’ Emely de Heus return stronger than ever for their sophomore campaigns.
READ MORE: ‘It’s super important’ – Formula 1 drivers show support ahead of second F1 ACADEMY season
Rodin Motorsport
#3 – Lola Lovinfosse (Charlotte Tilbury)
#9 – Abbi Pulling (Alpine)
#17 – Jessica Edgar
Tallying two poles and seven podiums in 2023, only a maiden victory eluded Abbi Pulling last year – something that the Alpine driver will be wanting to rectify as she sets out building a consistent campaign towards the title.
Rodin Motorsport have recruited three-time podium finisher Lola Lovinfosse alongside Jessica Edgar. The Briton might have finished eighth last year, but her season finale victory in Austin proved how much she’d grown as a racer.
READ MORE: F1 ACADEMY announces Tommy Hilfiger as Official Partner
ART Grand Prix
#16 – Bianca Bustamante (McLaren)
#22 – Aurelia Nobels (PUMA)
#57 – Lia Block (Williams)
A new-look roster for ART Grand Prix in 2024. In Bianca Bustamante, the French squad have not only secured the first female member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, but a fierce competitor looking to mount her own title challenge.
Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member Aurelia Nobels is another rookie on the field, in the PUMA-liveried car, but is keen to make her own mark. One of the biggest questions of the season is how will Williams driver Lia Block fare? Already a champion in American rallying, it might take her time to adjust to single seaters, but she’ll be giving it her all.
READ MORE: F1 ACADEMY announces milestone partnership with Charlotte Tilbury
Campos Racing
#14 – Chloe Chambers (Haas)
#15 – Carrie Schreiner (Kick Sauber)
#30 – Nerea Marti (Tommy Hilfiger)
Spain’s Nerea Marti has title aspirations of her own, wanting to throw her hat in the ring once again after last season’s fourth place finish. Haas’ Chloe Chambers is taking this year step-by-step as she aims to make an impression on field. Kick Sauber’s Carrie Schreiner determination knew no bounds as she went from strength-to-strength in 2023 as she looks to put herself in the mix for more silverware.
In addition, the season-opener in Jeddah sees Reema Juffali join the grid, with Saudi Arabia’s first female racing driver chosen as the series’ inaugural Wild Card entrant.
Nine different drivers took home a win last season, but who will be the first to stand on the top step in 2024? Qualifying to set the grids for both races gets underway on Thursday, March 7 at 21:30 local time. Lights go out for Race 1 at 15:10 local time on Friday, March 8, followed by Race 2 on Saturday, March 9 at 15:05 local time.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
News Oakes discusses 'trepidation' over becoming third Alpine Team Principal in 18 months
Feature ANALYSIS: Why Red Bull chose Lawson instead of Tsunoda as Perez's replacement
News ‘I was 99% sure I was going to continue with Ferrari’ says Sainz, as he admits ‘hurt’ at being replaced by Hamilton
News Aston Martin ‘cannot be happy’ with 2024 season as team boss Krack insists they have ‘learned lessons’ for the future