F1 Academy And More Than Equal Unite To Support Female Drivers

You can count the number of female Formula 1 drivers in history on one hand–a reminder of how motorsport once operated as a closed circuit, its gates firmly shut to women. For a sport obsessed with evolution, the absence of women at the highest level signals a deeper, systemic issue. It’s a reminder that talent has never been the issue—access has. And if motorsport is constantly evolving, why has this barrier remained unmoved?

That’s where F1 Academy and More than Equal come in. More than Equal is built on data, not just ambition. The organization identifies young, high-potential female drivers and enrols them in a fully funded Driver Development Programme designed to give them the tools, training, and expertise needed to compete at the highest level. F1 Academy, now entering its third season, is an all-female single-seater series designed to bridge the exposure gap, giving female drivers the seat time, race experience, and visibility needed to climb the motorsport ladder.

Now, the two are joining forces with More Than Equal becoming the Official Driver Performance & Research Partner of F1 Academy. They are combining expertise, research, and high-performance training to create a structured pipeline for female drivers—one that doesn’t just offer opportunity but ensures it leads somewhere.

The foundation of this collaboration is practical, knowledgeable assistance. Throughout the season, F1 Academy drivers will have access to a professional physiotherapist from More than Equal, who will give them with specialist therapy that is catered to the particular physical demands of the sport. The collaboration will also introduce new research-driven initiatives, including the creation of a structured guide to help young female drivers navigate their development—because talent needs guidance to thrive.

F1 Academy Managing Director, Susie Wolff, will also join More than Equal’s Advisory Board. Her leadership coupled with her experience both inside and outside of the cockpit has been pivotal in pushing for more women in the sport. Her active role in this partnership will ensure that change isn’t just talked about—it’s actually implemented.

“More than Equal is fueling meaningful progress with insightful, industry-leading research. By coming together, and with the committed support of More than Equal, we will be an even stronger force for positive change in motorsport – with action, not just words,” said Wolff.

“If we want to see real change in female participation at the highest levels of motorsport, we need to take an evidence-based approach. Our research will provide the data and insights needed to shape effective talent development strategies, ensuring female drivers have the right support structures in place to succeed,” said Head of Research at More than Equal, Dr. Fran Longstaff.

This partnership won’t erase decades of barriers overnight. In fact, it may be years before we see a female driver in Formula 1. But it does something critical: it shifts the conversation from whether women can compete in Formula 1 to how they get there.