F1 EXPLAINS: How F1 ACADEMY aims to inspire young women to pursue careers in motorsport

The second season of F1 ACADEMY starts this weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with the game-changing all-female racing series back with new drivers, top teams and wheel-to-wheel action.

In the latest episode of F1 Explains – the official podcast that answers your questions about the sport – hosts Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill find out more about the series with help from some special guests.

READ MORE: Returning title favourites and highly rated debuts – Introducing the 2024 F1 ACADEMY grid

Joining the pair are Susie Wolff, who’s driving F1 ACADEMY forwards as Managing Director, and driver Lia Block, making her debut in the category with ART Grand Prix and Williams.

Wolff – who retired from racing in 2015 before turning her attentions to off-track work in motorsport – says of the series: “For the very first time, bearing in mind I’ve been in this sport over 30 years – 25 as a driver, five on the business side – we have a moment in time where there’s real appetite to drive change.

“Womens’ sport is having a moment, it’s really gaining momentum. People want to see action. F1 ACADEMY is here to drive both of those changes.”

“I’ve grown up around rally paddocks,” adds Block as she discusses the opportunity of racing in F1 ACADEMY. “All my opportunities have been in off-road, really.

READ MORE: ‘It’s super important’ – Formula 1 drivers show support ahead of second F1 ACADEMY season

“Growing up watching Formula 1 on TV and then now getting this opportunity in single-seaters is really, really cool. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’m ready to take the wheel.”

To hear more from Wolff and Block in the latest episode of F1 Explains, tap the audio player above or click here to listen on your preferred platform.

To get your questions answered you can send a question about any F1 topic to F1Explains@F1.com. The podcast team will find the best person in the paddock to give the answer.

All episodes of F1 Explains are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other major podcast apps. New episodes are released every Friday.