Domenicali: "F1 Academy could be really, very important for girls"

It is a topic that is increasingly being discussed: women in Formula 1. Whether as drivers, engineers or in other roles, F1 boss Stefano Domenicali sees huge potential in an increase of women within the sport.

In an interview with Sky Sports F1 the Italian cited the F1 Academy championship, a newly created project that will start this year. Five teams will join and all will have female drivers. The idea is to make the other Formula classes (Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, etc.) more accessible. Lately, we have not seen any women with a permanent position on the F1 grid.

About the championship, Domenicali said the following: “We need to make sure that we create a foundation to allow young girls to start driving in a dimension where they can feel comfortable to fight one another.” Once this is made possible, the next step, competing at a high level, should be more achievable.

Domenicali is realistic, though: it will take time. In any case, he hopes that the energy and investment put into this project will prove effective. “I think that the F1 Academy could be really, very important for girls."

Female engineers and other roles within the sport

The F1 boss also looks optimistically at the other roles women are playing and can still play within the sport. He already sees that diversity in F1 teams is increasing: there are more women holding the positions of mechanic and engineer, for example. Or, take Red Bull Racing's chief strategist, Hannah Schmitz.

“F1 academy will even boost that need [for female technicians and engineers], because we are focusing on the drivers but [it should not only be] about the drivers," Domenicali said.

The Italian described Formula 1 as an ecosystem, there are so many roles that young girls and women can fulfil. Many women also work within the Formula 1 Group and Domenicali calls their role significant as well.