By Rachel Roberts. Sub-edited by Hugo Wong
This documentary series followed the 2024 season of F1 Academy, an F1 feeder-series dedicated to women and girls striving for careers in motorsport. The drivers competed at F1 race weekends throughout the season with the championship winner securing a funded seat in motorsport for the following year.
Upon reflection, this documentary was enjoyable and fascinating. The cameras followed individual drivers both around and away from the track, capturing them as athletes and people. The scenes included featured the drivers before and after races, offering behind-the-scenes footage from positive and disappointing race results. Both the physical and psychological demands of the sport were demonstrated with topics of mental health, risk and pressure acknowledged throughout. Additionally, the financial expenses of motorsport were reiterated with the drivers generating funding through means such as social media influencing and merchandising.
A range of storylines were created with various drivers being introduced and their progress throughout the season shared in later episodes. The drivers were from various backgrounds yet, the common theme within women’s sports of camaraderie was apparent throughout. Brit Abbi Pulling, from a humble background was introduced and contrasted with sisters Amna and Hamda Al Qubaisi from the UAE who were filmed with their own supercars and jet skis. The competitors were featured spending time away from the track together, congratulating and guiding one another, using their shared interest to create friendships beyond the track.
Embed from Getty ImagesYet, the documentary also has some limitations. This high-quality Netflix production hides the harsh reality that just one year prior, in its inaugural season, F1 Academy’s broadcasting was poor in quality and within the UK the main accessibility to follow the series live was via live timings. Limited live broadcasts were available. Furthermore, for viewers unfamiliar with motorsport, the progression to F1 is likely to be ambiguous and context of where drivers could progress to after the series was missed.
In summary, this documentary series is effective and engaging. It highlights the role a mindset can have on an athlete’s performance and many of the financial and psychological demands in the pursuit of elite sport. Strong support systems are integral for various athletes, with their families often making sacrifices to meet financial demands. Thus, when focusing on any sports team or athlete, acknowledging the team behind them including family, coaches and staff is valuable in forming a realistic journalistic story.
Embed from Getty ImagesF1: The Academy (2025) Produced by Reese Witherspoon, Sara Rea, Sarah Lazenby