The landscape of motorsport has long been dominated by men, with women largely sidelined despite having the talent, skill, and drive to compete at the highest level. As Formula 1 Academy takes center stage on race weekends, the opportunity for young female drivers to catch the eye of team principals and senior members in Formula 1 is greater than ever. But is that enough? Women are still vastly underrepresented in karting, the crucial grassroots level where all great F1 drivers begin. If we want to see women return to the F1 grid, there must be a more aggressive and structured approach—perhaps even a women’s-only Formula 1 championship, much like the Women’s European Football Championship that has propelled the sport forward.

The Roadblock: Women and Karting

Karting is the starting point for almost every successful Formula 1 driver. It’s where they learn the art of racecraft, hone their reflexes, and develop a deep connection between car and track. The issue? Women are simply not participating in karting at the numbers required to create a pipeline of talent. Why? A mix of cultural biases, lack of representation, and limited financial backing. Motorsport is already an expensive pursuit, but young girls who express an interest in racing often don’t receive the same encouragement or investment as their male counterparts.

Until we tackle the grassroots problem, we’ll continue to see a trickle of female talent rather than a steady stream capable of breaking into the male-dominated Formula 1. The biggest question is: how do we make motorsport as aspirational for young girls as gymnastics, tennis, or even football?

The Spotlight is Finally Here

The introduction of the F1 Academy is a positive step, showcasing female drivers on race weekends and integrating them into the elite motorsport environment. Unlike the failed W Series, which collapsed due to financial issues, the F1 Academy has the backing of Formula 1 itself. But merely providing a stage isn’t enough—there must be a real commitment to progression. Are these young women being given the opportunity to test F2 and F3 machinery? Are teams genuinely considering them for junior programs? Or is this just another tick-box exercise for diversity?

Visibility is crucial, but without structured pathways into the higher tiers of racing, the F1 Academy risks becoming little more than a sideshow. Women need to be in competitive machinery, in competitive fields, and in front of the right decision-makers.

The Reality Check: Formula 1 Still Isn’t Ready

Despite progress, the reality is that Formula 1 teams are still hesitant to take a chance on a female driver. There hasn’t been a woman on the F1 grid since Lella Lombardi in 1976. Even now, test and development driver roles for women are rare, and when they do exist, they often serve as symbolic rather than substantive positions.

While there is no outright rule preventing women from racing in F1, the sport has created an environment where breaking through is nearly impossible. If a woman is to reach F1, she must be exceptionally talented—far beyond her male counterparts—because any slight weakness will be scrutinized and used as proof that women don’t belong.

Women and Supercars: The Same Old Story

Having reviewed luxury and supercars for over a decade, I’ve seen firsthand how women are gaslighted into believing they don’t have the skill to drive high-performance vehicles. This same bias exists in motorsport. Despite countless female drivers proving their worth in other racing categories—Endurance, GT, and even IndyCar—the narrative persists that women lack the physicality, aggression, or racecraft to compete in Formula 1.

The truth? The modern F1 car isn’t a brute-force machine. Power steering, hybrid systems, and refined aerodynamics mean that raw strength isn’t the defining factor for success. What’s needed is precision, strategy, and a deep understanding of vehicle dynamics—skills that women have demonstrated across all other disciplines of motorsport. Gracie has driven a Ferrari and a McLaren, inspiring women to have ago on the roads.

A Women’s-Only Formula 1: The Time is Now

If we are serious about seeing women in Formula 1, then it’s time to take a radical approach. Just as women’s football has thrived with dedicated leagues and tournaments, so too should women’s motorsport. A women’s-only F1 championship, backed by the same financial muscle and media attention as men’s F1, could change the game entirely.

Imagine an FIA-sanctioned Women’s F1 Championship running parallel to the main event, with equal prize money, sponsorship deals, and manufacturer involvement. This would give female drivers the chance to showcase their talent on a grand stage, while also proving that a sustainable, competitive series can exist without the constant struggle to break into the men’s grid.

This isn’t about segregation; it’s about acceleration. Just as women’s football didn’t diminish the dream of playing in the men’s leagues, a women’s F1 wouldn’t take away from the ambition of racing in the traditional championship. Instead, it would provide a platform where women could gain experience, secure sponsorships, and prove to the motorsport world that they belong on the global stage.

Bridging the Gap: What Needs to Happen

1. Karting Scholarships – Motorsport bodies and major F1 teams need to offer more karting scholarships specifically for young girls.
2. Early Mentorship Programs – Female racing role models should be actively mentoring young girls to guide them through the junior categories.
3. Manufacturer Support – Brands investing in motorsport should back female talent in the same way they nurture male junior drivers.
4. Equal Testing Opportunities – Women in F1 Academy should be guaranteed F2 and F3 testing opportunities.
5. Mainstream Media Coverage – Women’s racing needs to be televised and marketed in the same way as male-dominated series.
6. A Dedicated Women’s Formula 1 – The FIA should establish a women’s-only F1 championship to accelerate female driver development.

The Future is Female

It’s easy to say that the door is open for women in Formula 1, but that means nothing if the pathway is littered with obstacles. It’s time for motorsport to stop paying lip service to diversity and start putting money and effort into making real change. A women’s-only Formula 1 isn’t just an idea—it’s a necessary step towards true equality in motorsport.

Women belong in Formula 1. Whether it’s on the grid against men or in a championship of their own, they deserve the opportunity to show the world what they can do. The question is no longer if women will return to the F1 grid, but when the sport will finally give them the chance they’ve long been denied.