Source – Formula1.com
F1 ACADEMY has announced that Hitech Grand Prix will join the grid and operate three cars from the 2025 season, expanding the grid to 18 cars.
The F1 Academy, founded in 2022 with a vision to revolutionize opportunities for young female talent in motorsport, is set to take another significant leap forward in 2025. Hitech Grand Prix, a team with an impressive pedigree in junior formula racing, will join the championship as the sixth team, bringing the grid to an all-time high of 18 cars. This expansion is not just a testament to the Academy’s rapid growth but also to the flourishing pool of emerging female drivers eager to make their mark on the racing world.
Since its inception, the F1 Academy has been a groundbreaking platform aimed at fostering female talent in motorsport. In just three years, the series has become a beacon of change, breaking down barriers and creating pathways for women to excel in a male-dominated sport. The inclusion of Hitech Grand Prix, an organization deeply entrenched in the development of motorsport talent through its participation in championships like GB3, British Formula 4, and the Formula Winter Series, adds even greater credibility and competitive depth to the series.
Hitech Grand Prix will operate three cars as part of their F1 Academy program. Two of these cars will feature full-time drivers, providing continuity and fostering long-term growth, while the third will be dedicated to the Wild Card initiative. Introduced in 2024, the Wild Card program has been a revolutionary addition to the F1 Academy, offering opportunities to promising drivers from the regions hosting race weekends. This innovative approach not only enriches the talent pool but also encourages local participation, making the series more inclusive and dynamic.
The 2024 season has already showcased the impact of the Wild Card initiative. Six Wild Card entries competed this year, and three of those drivers—Courtney Crone, Ella Lloyd, and Nina Gademan—have earned full-time seats for the 2025 season with Haas, McLaren, and Alpine, respectively. The Wild Card program has proven to be an invaluable stepping stone for rising stars, and with Hitech Grand Prix embracing the concept, the future looks even brighter for aspiring female racers.
Susie Wolff, the Managing Director of F1 Academy, has been the driving force behind this monumental change. Reflecting on the expansion, she remarked, “We are proud to be expanding the F1 Academy grid to 18 cars in just our third season of racing. It’s clear to us that change is already in motion, and this expansion reflects not just the growing talent pool of drivers ready to make the step up but also the incredible growth of F1 Academy as a platform to develop female talent.”
Wolff’s unwavering dedication has been instrumental in transforming the series into a global platform for aspiring female drivers. The inclusion of a team like Hitech Grand Prix, with its established track record in nurturing young talent in FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3, aligns perfectly with the Academy’s vision for the future.
For Oliver Oakes, the owner of Hitech Grand Prix, the decision to join F1 Academy was driven by a shared belief in the mission to empower women in motorsport. “I’m delighted to confirm Hitech’s participation in F1 Academy from the 2025 season,” Oakes said. “A platform that inspires and supports young girls and women to embark on their motorsport journey is one that we have always fundamentally believed in. The opportunity to translate support into positive action by entering a team in F1 Academy is really important to us.”
The announcement of Hitech Grand Prix joining the championship adds a new layer of excitement to the 2025 season. With the grid now featuring six established teams—ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, Rodin Motorsport, MP Motorsport, PREMA Racing, and Hitech Grand Prix—the competition is set to reach new heights. Each team brings a rich history of success and expertise from their involvement in junior formula racing, promising an intensely competitive and thrilling season ahead.
The expansion of the grid and the continued success of initiatives like the Wild Card program underline the F1 Academy’s commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for female drivers. As the championship prepares to welcome Hitech Grand Prix and its expanded grid of 18 cars, it’s clear that the Academy is not just growing but thriving, creating a future where female talent has an undeniable place in motorsport’s highest echelons.
