P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Have women ever raced in Formula 1? History of female F1 drivers
In its 74-year history, Formula 1 has only had five female drivers. To promote more gender diversity in motorsport, initiatives such as the F1 Academy focus on encouraging and supporting women and girls in their racing careers. The F1 Academy, founded by Formula 1, is a female-only single-seater racing championship introduced in 2023 with the goal of nurturing talent and advancing women to higher competition levels like F2 and F1. The inaugural season featured 15 cars on the grid provided by current F2 and F3 teams, with backing from existing Formula 1 teams for selected drivers. The 2024 season will comprise 7 race weekends with 3 races each, totaling a 21-race championship, funded by Formula One Management subsidizing €150,000 per entry per season. Maria Teresa de Fillippis, the first woman to compete in a Formula 1 race, made an impact in the late 1950s, facing challenges but leaving a significant mark in the sport.
