Women Drivers Compete in New Formula 1 Academy Series

MIAMI, Fla. — Young female drivers in motorsport gathered to celebrate their shared passion during the Miami Grand Prix weekend. Among them were drivers Chloe Chambers, Courtney Crone, Doriane Pin, and Lia Block, marking a significant moment for women in racing. They attended an exclusive dinner hosted by Vanity Fair and The Ritz-Carlton, highlighting their achievements in the sport.

This year, Crone, 24, will compete in the F1 Academy, a newly established female-only racing series aimed at preparing women drivers for higher levels, including the traditionally male-dominated Formula 1. ‘Just knowing that you’re one of the 18 girls on the grid is a huge accomplishment,’ Crone stated. ‘F1 Academy has done an absolutely fantastic job choosing which girls get to race.’

F1 Academy debuted in 2023 and has quickly gained attention, similar to the popular Netflix docuseries “Drive to Survive,” which helped bring Formula 1 to new audiences. The series aims to showcase the challenges and successes of women drivers, with a new docuseries titled “F1: The Academy,” produced by Reese Witherspoon and set to premiere later this year.

Chambers, 20, who was born in China and raised in New York, shared her journey towards confidence in both racing and public engagements. ‘As I’ve grown up, I’ve gained that confidence to go out and speak to people,’ she said. This reflects a growing trend in motorsports where drivers are trained to handle both on-track performance and media presence.

The dinner served a mezze-style menu curated by Michelin-starred chef José Andrés, providing a relaxed atmosphere for the drivers to connect and reflect on their experiences in racing. The event highlighted not just their individual journeys but also the unified advancement of women within motorsport.

The evening also allowed the drivers to enjoy moments of camaraderie amidst the competitive landscape. As Crone stated, ‘Miami is obviously just such a cool place to have this sort of event.’ The excitement surrounding this new chapter in racing is palpable as the F1 Academy continues to spotlight women in a sport historically dominated by men.