Hitech Grand Prix joins F1 Academy grid as series expands to 18 cars in 2025

F1 Academy will expand to an 18-car grid in 2025 with the addition of Hitech Grand Prix, reflecting the series' rapid growth and rising global participation of female drivers in F4 competitions.

Photo credits: JEP

F1 Academy announced it will expand the current grid from 15 full-time entries to 18 cars in 2025, as Hitech Grand Prix joins the all-female category.

The British team, owned by BWT Alpine F1 team principal Oliver Oakes, will therefore join Prema Racing, Campos Racing, MP Motorsport, Rodin Motorsport and ART Grand Prix in the F4 series promoted by F1, in another high-level addition that is set to expand the opportunities for female drivers as the demand for the championship and the number of female racers competing globally in F4 competitions steadily grows.

Hitech Grand Prix will run two full-time entries plus the Wild Card car, which has made its debut this year and has been operated by team champion Prema Racing in a fourth car.

Unlike in 2024, the Wild Card entry is thus expected to run at every race meeting, continuing its mission of promoting local talent or offering a platform to up-and-coming female talents.

In 2024, six Wild Card drivers were entered, with three already signed to a full-time seat in 2025.

“We are proud to be expanding the F1 Academy grid to 18 cars in just our third season of racing", said Susie Wolff, F1 Academy Managing Director. "It’s clear to us that change is already in motion, and this expansion reflects not just the growing talent pool of drivers ready to make the step up but also the incredible growth of F1 Academy as a platform to develop female talent."

"Hitech Grand Prix have an impressive history in the junior formula, including FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 and we are pleased to welcome them to our grid from 2025.”

The British team currently competes in FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3, GB3 Championship and, at F4 level, operates in British Formula 4 and Formula Winter Series, where it will run newly-signed Alpine representative Nina Gademan. Hitech sealed both the 2024 drivers and teams' titles in British F4.

“I’m delighted to confirm Hitech’s participation in F1 Academy from the 2025 season", said Oliver Oakes. "A platform that inspires and supports young girls and women to embark on their motorsport journey is one that we have always fundamentally believed in and the opportunity to translate support into positive action by entering a team in F1 Academy is really important to us. We applaud the commitment and determination of Susie Wolff as the force behind the change that the series is driving.”