F1 Academy - Las Vegas

The F1 Academy brings all-female Formula 4-level racing to Las Vegas for the season finale. This championship is organized by the Formula One Group and features 18 talented drivers competing across seven rounds. The Las Vegas Strip Circuit will host the final round, marking the first time the F1 Academy races on the streets of Las Vegas.

The F1 Academy operates as a spec series where all teams use identical equipment. Each driver competes in a Tatuus F4-T421 chassis powered by a 1.4-liter Autotecnica turbocharged engine that produces 174 horsepower. These cars reach a top speed of 150 mph and accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds. Pirelli supplies the tires for all competitors.

Six experienced teams operate in the F1 Academy: Prema Racing, Rodin Motorsport, Campos Racing, MP Motorsport, ART Grand Prix, and Hitech TGR. Each team fields three cars. Ten Formula 1 teams have affiliations with the F1 Academy grid, and many drivers participate in F1 junior development programs. Hitech TGR joined the series for the 2025 season as the newest team.

The Las Vegas race weekend includes practice sessions, qualifying, and two 30-minute races. Race 1 uses a reversed grid for the top 8 qualifiers, while Race 2 follows standard qualifying order. Points are awarded to the top 8 finishers in Race 1 and the top 10 in Race 2 using an F1-style points system. The fastest qualifier earns 2 bonus points, and drivers who set the fastest lap in either race receive an additional point if they finish in points-paying positions.

The Las Vegas Strip Circuit measures 6.201 km (3.853 miles) and features 17 turns. The track runs through the Las Vegas Strip past Caesars Palace, the Bellagio, and the Venetian. Long straights and tight corners define the circuit's character. This street circuit joined the Formula One calendar in 2023, reviving F1 racing in Las Vegas after the Caesars Palace Grand Prix ran in the early 1980s.

All F1 Academy competitors must be between 16 and 25 years old and may race for no more than two seasons. This age limit and season restriction ensure the series serves as a development pathway. The championship was founded by the Formula One Group to develop young women in motorsports and increase female participation in high-level racing through training and equal competition conditions.

The series traces its roots to Formula Woman, established in 2004, and the W Series, created in 2019. Both championships emerged due to limited female representation in other racing categories. The inaugural F1 Academy season took place in 2023. Abbi Pulling won the 2024 drivers' championship, while Prema Racing claimed the teams' title.

The F1 Academy aims to be a stepping stone between karting and open-wheel racing. The series identifies female racing talent and provides a pathway to Formulas 3, 2, and ultimately Formula 1. The championship broadcasts in 160 territories, and a Netflix docuseries titled "F1: The Academy" premiered to showcase the competition and drivers.

The Las Vegas race represents a milestone as the first single-seater support series to compete on the city's streets. One wild card entry is reserved for a local driver at each Grand Prix weekend. The F1 Academy supports the "Discover Your Drive" initiative, which promotes female participation in grassroots motorsport. A special merchandise collection created in partnership with Hello Kitty will be available at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The f1-academy series delivers competitive racing with equal equipment and opportunities for all participants. The Las Vegas finale promises to showcase the talent and skill of female drivers on one of the most challenging street circuits in motorsport. This event offers fans a chance to witness the future stars of racing compete at the highest level of female single-seater competition.