F1 Academy 'Discover Your Drive' supported-drivers announced

F1 Academy announced the nine female karters - three in each class - that will receive support for the 2024 Champions Of The Future Academy Program as part of the  F1 Academy Discover Your Drive initiative.

Photo credits: Alexandros Vernardis / The RaceBox

International karting series Champions Of The Future Academy Program has announced that nine young female drivers will receive support from F1 Academy for the 2024 season, as part of the F1 Academy Discover Your Drive initiative.

The all-female single seater championship promoted by F1 launched the cooperation with the acclaimed karting series at the end of last year, with the aim of increasing female participation and inclusion in national and international karting competitions. The resulting format features a series of cost control measures, a limit on entry fee and an engine and chassis lottery in one-make categories.

With the goal of increasing the base of the pyramyd for the single seater ladder and create a pathway for female talents, F1 Academy will therefore support three female drivers in each mixed-gender category - Minis (ages 8-11), Juniors (ages 11-14) and Seniors (ages 14-17).

"We will also provide the best in the senior category with an F1 Academy test, giving them a chance to prove themselves to our teams", Susie Wolff stated. "Champions of the Future shares F1 Academy’s vision to increase female participation, create opportunity and allow clear progression up the motorsport ladder.”

The three drivers selected for the Mini 60 class are Sophie Guth (11), Lina Salamanca (9) and Ava Lawrence (9). In the OK-N Junior class, Victoria Farfus (12), Angelina Simons-Torres and Williams Academy's Sara Matsui (13) will receive support from F1 Academy, while the three talents that will represent the F1 Academy colours in the OK-N class will be 14-year-old Australian Charlotte Page, American Payton Westcott and 13-year-old Mercedes AMG-junior Luna Fluxa-Cross.

As part of the collaboration, these drivers will participate in the Champions Of The Future Academy Program series in an F1 Academy-branded kart and race suit - and will receive financial support with entry fees.

Champions of the Future Academy Program held its first ever event in Abu Dhabi, at the Al Forsan racetrack in November. It resulted in the the highest female participation (15% of the total entries) observed in an international karting event in recent times.

Six double-header race weekends are scheduled for 2024, with events taking place on world-class karting venues around the world and promoted by RGMMC.

The first event is scheduled for 27-31 March at Cremona, Italy.

Photo credits: Alexandros Vernardis / The RaceBox