F1: The Academy on Netflix shows what’s possible for women in racing

Netflix’s F1: The Academy isn’t just another motorsport docuseries — it’s a groundbreaking portrait of ambition, resilience, and the evolution of a sport long dominated by men.

Following the 2024 all-female F1 Academy racing season, F1: The Academy captures the grit, vulnerability, and growth of 15 young women fighting for a place in Formula 1.

And if you think this is just Formula 1: Drive to Survive with a different coat of paint, think again. This is motorsport storytelling with purpose.

I didn’t grow up watching F1 as much as I do now. In fact, for most of my childhood, motorsport felt like a sealed-off world — loud, expensive, and unmistakably male. But when I first stumbled across clips of F1 Academy racing on social media, I felt something shift. 

What makes F1: The Academy so compelling is the personal depth it brings to the track. Produced by Hello Sunshine, Reese Witherspoon’s company dedicated to amplifying female voices, the show doesn’t rely on manufactured drama.

Instead, it documents the real challenges these women face: financial struggles, media scrutiny, physical exhaustion, and the pressure of performing in a sport that, historically, hasn’t left much room for them. From quiet hotel room confessions to the roar of the starting grid, the series places viewers right in the middle of the action — and the emotion.

Leading the charge is Susie Wolff, a former professional driver and current managing director of the F1 Academy. She’s more than just a figurehead — she’s a steady, visible presence who gives these drivers the kind of support structure that so many women in male-dominated spaces never get.

I found myself replaying the sentiment she expressed to The Hollywood Reporter — the F1 Academy does not want to be a side show, it’s part of the main show. That kind of conviction stayed with me. It reminded me of writing my first piece on women’s sports and how often I’ve felt the need to over explain why it matters. Wolff doesn’t explain. She builds.

The drivers themselves are as diverse as they are talented. Amna Al Qubaisi, the first female racing driver from the U.A.E. (my home country!), races with a calm fury that speaks volumes, especially when you understand the cultural ground she’s breaking with every lap.

Then there’s Abbi Pulling, the 2024 F1 Academy champion, whose sharp focus and self-awareness make her feel like a future team principal in the making.

But it was Bianca Bustamante who had me pausing episodes just to breathe. Watching her carry the weight of national pride — knowing she’s racing not just for herself but for an entire country that’s never had someone like her in F1 — felt personal. It reminded me of leaving home to chase a writing dream and wondering whether I’d ever get to come back with something to show for it.

The series takes us across five continents — from Miami to Zandvoort to Abu Dhabi — and it’s a whirlwind. But in between the glamour and the grind are the moments that hit hardest: drivers comforting each other after crashes, lending gear, and sharing phone calls with family in the paddock.

There’s a scene where Bustamante breaks down in tears, talking about how hard it is to keep going without a financial safety net. I’ve never driven a race car, but I’ve often found myself wondering if passion alone was enough.

F1: The Academy also knows how to differentiate itself from Formula 1: Drive to Survive. Where the latter leans into rivalries and backroom drama, this show feels more intimate and honest. 

The stakes are just as high, but they’re different. These aren’t drivers trying to protect multimillion-dollar contracts. They’re trying to survive long enough to get their foot in the door. They aren’t just racing against each other — they’re racing against time, funding gaps, and decades of exclusion. Watching them made me want to text every woman I know who’s ever been underestimated, overlooked, or outnumbered.

The show doesn’t ignore the systemic issues. If anything, it confronts them head-on. It’s the lack of visibility, the uphill battle for sponsorships, the grueling reality that raw talent isn’t always enough. 

But still, the series leaves you hopeful. It shows what’s possible when women are given the tools, the support, and most importantly, the spotlight. Watching F1: The Academy felt like watching the sport — maybe the world — I always wanted to see.