Buckle up and get ready for some high-octane action with the return of the Singapore Grand Prix 2024 from 20 to 22 September. This year’s night race is about to get even more exciting with the debut of the F1 Academy, an all-female racing series poised to shake up the motorsport world.

Launched in 2023, the F1 Academy is Formula 1’s bold step toward levelling the playing field in motorsport. With a presence at tentpole races this past year, this series isn’t just about racing—it’s about making a statement.

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“We have big ambitions for the F1 Academy—we don’t want to be a moment; we want to be a movement,” says Susie Wolff, managing director of F1 Academy. “We have an incredible opportunity to transform this sport and create opportunities for women that didn’t exist before. We want to be the rocket fuel that drives female participation in our sport, both on and off the track. We’re on a mission to show young girls and women that there is a place for them in our sport.”

As the glamorous event unfolds against the backdrop of Singapore’s skyline, 15 fearless women will take to Marina Bay Circuit for the first time, bringing fresh energy and undeniable talent to the heart of the sport. Key drivers in the line-up include Chloe Chambers, 20, from the US, supported by Haas; Filipino Bianca Bustamante, 19, supported by McLaren; and Lia Block from America, 18, supported by team Williams.

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One of the highlights of the race is the “Hot Lips” car sponsored by make-up brand Charlotte Tilbury, driven by French national Lola Lovinfosse, 19, for team Rodin Motorsport. “Charlotte is a trailblazer in her industry, and it is a great privilege to have such a world- renowned, female-led brand as a partner. Our partnership champions strength, empowerment and confidence. Not only is it allowing us to reach new audiences, but it’s also helping us change perceptions about who motorsport is for,” Wolff enthuses.

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No stranger to motorsport racing, Wolff was signed by Williams in Formula One to work as a development driver. At the 2014 British Grand Prix, she made history as the first woman to participate in a Formula One race weekend in 22 years. Married to Toto Wolff, team principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, she retired in 2015 to channel her focus on grooming young women for the circuit, and beyond.

As the series gears up for its first race in Asia, the anticipation is building. Singapore’s challenging circuit and electric atmosphere will provide the perfect stage for F1 Academy’s debut, promising an unforgettable spectacle as these talented young women fight for the title of overall champ.

In this ELLE exclusive, Wolff shares her vision for the academy, the impact it’s already making, and the exciting future ahead for these young female drivers.

What inspired you to make the transition from being a professional racing driver to taking on a leadership role within the motorsport industry?

This sport had given so much to me, so when I hung up my racing helmet in 2015, it felt like it was time to give something back. I wanted the next generation of young women to be able to learn from my success as well as the mistakes I had made along the way. Then in 2018, an opportunity arose to join Venturi Racing in Formula E [a motorsport racing series for electric cars] as Team Principal and shareholder. But in my first-ever press conference, the first two questions were: “Did your husband get you this job? You’ve just had a baby, how are you going to manage travel?” It was then that I realised there was a lot of progress to be made. I knew the best I could do was to focus on the performance. We won a race the following year, and then we were fighting for a Championship, eventually finishing as Vice World Champions. After that, no one mentioned my gender; I had earned my place at the table.

What motivated you to take on the role of managing director at the F1 Academy?

When I left Venturi in Formula E, I was convinced that I needed a new challenge in a different industry, and for the first time in my career I was exploring roles outside of motorsport. But after speaking to Formula 1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali, about the mission for F1 Academy, I realised that this was a once in a lifetime chance to create lasting change for women within the motorsport industry. It felt like this was a chance to stop talking and start taking action.

How is the F1 Academy different from other women’s races like the W Series?

From the beginning, I had a very clear vision of the direction we needed to take with F1 Academy. We set out to create the best possible structure to nurture female talent by working with the five best teams in junior motorsport, giving drivers as much track time as possible on race weekends, as well as an extensive testing programme. We are now racing alongside the FIA Formula One World Championship at seven events across three continents with the support of all ten F1 teams behind us, which gives us an incredible platform and the ability to reach new audiences. Our races are also broadcast live in over 160 international territories and streamed live globally on F1 Academy social media channels.

How do you feel about the progress of gender diversity in motorsport?

We’re making strides towards greater female participation in the sport. I believe we’re on the cusp of making lasting, impactful change. In a sport that’s been male dominated for many years, women and girls can now see themselves represented. You cannot underestimate the power of that. Female fans now account for 40 per cent of F1’s total fanbase, which is hugely significant. We want all the women watching to know there is a place for them in our sport, on or off the track. In our first two seasons, we have made positive steps towards breaking down barriers at the grassroots level. Last year, we launched F1 Academy Discover Your Drive, a global programme aimed at increasing the talent pool and supporting women in their motorsport careers. On the track, you can already see a positive shift in participation figures: We saw 25 per cent female registration, which is a significant leap up from the standard race participation of three to five per cent.

What are your long-term goals for the F1 Academy?

Our goal is to see a woman competing in the F1 World Championship. Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, there are only 20 seats and it’s incredibly tough for any driver, regardless of gender, to make it all the way to the top. In the next five years, we hope to help more women start climbing the ladder to Formula 1 by competing in its feeder series, Formula 2 and Formula 3. Off the track, we’re aiming to inspire a new generation of young women to consider a career in motorsport, whether as an engineer, a team manager, or a broadcaster via our F1 Academy Discover Your Drive programme. We want to showcase the wide range of roles available to women in our sport, show young girls the pathway, and create opportunities for them to get involved.

The Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix will be happening from 20 to 22 September 2024. For more information, visit its website.