Las Vegas: The F1 Academy concluded its 2025 season with strong on-track competition and major growth across audiences, partnerships, and digital platforms, strengthening its role as a key development series for female racing talent.
The championship completed its third season alongside the FIA Formula One World Championship, staging seven race weekends across three continents. The calendar included iconic venues such as Jeddah, Miami, Zandvoort, and Singapore, while introducing new circuits in Shanghai, Montreal, and the Las Vegas Strip, where F1 Academy became the first single-seater support series to race on the city streets.
Dramatic Title Decider in Las Vegas
The 2025 title battle went down to the final race, with Mercedes-backed driver Doriane Pin securing the championship after a season-long fight with Maya Weug. Italian team PREMA Racing claimed the Teams’ Championship once again.
Across the season, 14 races were held, with nine different drivers — including four rookies — finishing on the podium, underlining the growing depth of talent in the series.
Expanded Grid and Talent Development
A key highlight of the season was the expansion of the grid to 18 cars, reflecting the rapid growth of the championship. Hitech TGR joined the series, operating additional entries and Wild Card seats at every round.
The Wild Card initiative continued in 2025, offering local drivers competitive exposure. Several Wild Card participants have already secured full-time seats for the 2026 season. Reverse grid races were also reintroduced, adding strategic complexity and improving driver race craft.
Audience and Digital Growth
A global fan study revealed a 31 percent year-on-year increase in the F1 Academy fanbase. Around 60 percent of followers are female, reinforcing the series’ role in attracting and inspiring women in motorsport.
Social media followers crossed 1.5 million, marking a 54 percent annual increase. Live race viewership on YouTube rose by 67 percent compared to last season. The series was broadcast in over 160 territories through more than 30 broadcasters and streamed globally on YouTube and F1TV.
Netflix Boost and Brand Partnerships
The Netflix series F1: The Academy, released in May 2025, provided behind-the-scenes access to the championship and boosted fan engagement. Surveys showed that 81 percent of viewers enjoyed the series, while 64 percent said it made them more likely to watch F1 Academy races.
The season also saw new partnerships with brands including TAG Heuer, Morgan Stanley, TeamViewer, Wella Professionals, Gatorade, and the LEGO Group. A special collaboration with Hello Kitty at the Las Vegas Grand Prix further expanded the series’ global appeal.
2026 Season Outlook
F1 Academy confirmed a seven-round calendar for 2026, featuring a first-ever race at Silverstone. The championship will also return to Shanghai, Jeddah, Montreal, Zandvoort, Circuit of the Americas, and Las Vegas, which will once again host the season finale.
