Why 2025 is going to be the best F1 ACADEMY season yet

The clock is ticking down to the opening round of the 2025 F1 ACADEMY season, as the drivers and teams gear up to go racing in China in less than two weeks’ time.

Whether you’re new to the all-female series or a returning fan, there are no shortage of reasons to be excited for the moment the lights go out. We’ve rounded up six key storylines that could make the upcoming campaign the most action-packed and ground-breaking year yet…

A bigger grid equals more close-fought racing

One of the biggest revamps for 2025 is the welcomed addition of a sixth team, with junior series stalwarts Hitech TGR joining the likes of ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, MP Motorsport, PREMA Racing and Rodin Motorsport on the grid.

As a result, the field has grown from 15 full-time cars to 18, allowing the Wild Card entry to become a feature at all seven rounds as part of Hitech’s trio of cars. Battles for the points-paying positions will become even fiercer, with the increased competition pushing the drivers to reach new personal bests and will allow for emerging talents to progress into the series.

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 25: Joanne Ciconte of Australia and MP Motorsport (25) — The F1 ACADEMY grid has expanded to 18 cars for 2025

Can 2024’s returnees rise to the top?

Six stars of the 2024 campaign are back for more this time around, including Vice Champion Doriane Pin. The Mercedes junior put up a fierce fight to take the title fight with eventual Champion Abbi Pulling all the way down to the final round. Unsurprisingly tipped as an early favourite, Pin will hope to have the measure of her rivals on her second attempt.

Maya Weug’s late season resurgence should put her in good stead this year, after the Ferrari driver claimed her first single-seater victory in impressive fashion in the Abu Dhabi season finale. Moving from PREMA to MP, Weug will be determined to put her knowledge to good use after spending a season as Pin’s teammate.

Chloe Chambers is another race winner who will be one to watch. Driving for Red Bull Ford, the American’s daring overtakes showed that she’s a driver that few would want to see in their wing mirrors. Meanwhile, ART have retained two of their challengers in the form of Williams’ Lia Block and PUMA driver Aurelia Nobels, both of whom have a maiden podium in their sights.

Securing a top-10 spot in the Drivers’ Standings, Tina Hausmann remains with Aston Martin and could stake her own claim on the title if her confidence continues to grow. Lastly, Chloe Chong has a point to prove on her return after a season away, with the Briton taking up the mantle for Charlotte Tilbury.

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 25: Doriane Pin of France and PREMA Racing (28) talks to — 2024 Vice Champion Doriane Pin (right) is back for another crack at the title

From Shanghai to the streets of Las Vegas

Three new locations will put the drivers to the test like never before — as Shanghai, Montreal and Las Vegas make their debuts this season. The series’ third season kicks off with a visit to the Shanghai International Circuit, combining the tight and twisty Turns 1 to 4 with one of the longest straights on the calendar.

Marking the halfway point in the seven-round campaign, Montreal remains another unknown entity as drivers will need to master the heavy-braking chicanes and iconic hairpin, whilst the Wall of Champions will be there to ruthlessly punish any mistakes.

Lastly, the lights of Las Vegas welcome F1 ACADEMY’s season finale — the first time a single-seater support series has featured at the Grand Prix.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull — F1 ACADEMY's finale will take place around the streets of Las Vegas

Will the rookies shine brightest?

Six brand-new faces prepare to take the fight to the rest of the field and have the potential to threaten the top of the order as the campaign progresses. Australia’s hopes rest on TAG Heuer driver Aiva Anagnostiadis and 16-year-old Joanne Ciconte, whilst American Express’ Nicole Havrda will have the home crowds behind her all the way in Montreal.

It’ll be a learning season for Kick Sauber-backed Emma Felbermayr, who embarks on her first season in single-seaters, whilst Alba Larsen, who is mentored by former F1 driver Kevin Magnussen, will be looking to bring home success for Tommy Hilfiger. RB have locked in an exciting prospect in the form of Rafaela Ferreira, who became the first woman to achieve both a podium and a victory in Brazilian F4.

In addition, four of 2024’s Wild Cards graduate to the grid and could throw the title fight wide open. Alpine’s Nina Gademan was the first Wild Card to score points with her P4 and P10 finishes, whilst Red Bull Racing’s Alisha Palmowski made sure people sat up and took notice of her with a top-five finish in Qatar.

McLaren’s Ella Lloyd was another driver to perform under pressure, with two top-10 finishes in Singapore and Miami Wild Card Courtney Crone will want to get her new chapter with Haas off to a strong start.

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 26: Nina Gademan of Netherlands and PREMA Racing (3) looks — Nina Gademan enjoyed a successful Wild Card drive in 2024, and steps up in 2025 to be a full-time member of the grid with Alpine

Reverse grid races are back

Drivers are going to have to prove themselves to be just as much crafty overtakers as quick qualifiers this season with reverse grid races returning after a one-year absence. This will see the top eight drivers from Qualifying swap places, with the pole-sitter starting eighth for Race 1 and points will be on offer to those who finish inside the top eight.

Whilst the two-race format remains, it’ll now be harder for one driver to dominate proceedings — as 2024 Champion Abbi Pulling did with nine wins out of 14. The update should also better prepare them for the likes of F3 and F2, where reverse grid Sprint Races are a firm fixture, and treat viewers to unpredictable racing by shaking up the frontrunning order.

F1 Academy: Story of the 2024 season

Introducing the Rookie Test

With a two-season limit for all drivers, it’s vital that F1 ACADEMY has one eye on the future, whether that be for the 2026 grid on beyond. In September 2025, up to 18 young drivers who have shown promise in senior karting and Formula 4-level series will have the chance to get behind the wheel of an F1 ACADEMY car for the first time.

Helping to nurture the next generation of talent, the rookie test will provide a vital pathway for emerging female racers to put themselves on the radar for a future seat.

But who will emerge victorious and be crowned the 2025 F1 ACADEMY Champion? We’ll have to wait and see how this year plays out...