Many people, if asked, would have absolutely no idea that Formula One even had female drivers. It’s not widely known — but the aim of Netflix’s docuseries “F1: The Academy” is to change that. Following the first year of the F1 Academy, the series places a spotlight on young female drivers fighting to prove themselves in a sport that has forever been not just dominated but completely monopolized by men.
The show delivers high-speed thrills and rivalries much like those in “F1: Drive to Survive,” but its real strength lies in the personal stories of the drivers like Lia Block, Bianca Bustamante and Doriane Pin, who navigate not only the racetrack but also the systemic barriers keeping women out of racing’s highest levels. While at times the series leans far into familiar reality TV tropes, it ultimately succeeds in making the women’s journeys feel urgent and inspiring. For casual viewers and hardcore F1 fans alike, “F1: The Academy” is an eye-opening and wild ride.
