F1 Academy 2025: ELLA LLOYD, MAYA WEUG & 16 Others Battle for Championship

March 20, 2025

by Sheona Mountford // from www.gpfans.com

• The 2025 F1 Academy season launches this weekend in Shanghai with a completely fresh championship fight, as reigning champion ABBI PULLING has graduated to GB3. The 18-driver field includes standouts like ELLA LLOYD backing McLaren colors, MAYA WEUG representing Ferrari, and DORIANE PIN flying the Mercedes flag—proving all 10 F1 teams are finally putting their money where their mouth is about supporting women’s progression.
• We’re getting serious upgrades to the format this year with a new reverse-grid system for Race 1 that should shake up the action. The points structure heavily favors Race 2 winners with 25 points available, while Race 1 offers a more modest 10-point prize. With drivers limited to just two seasons in the series, every weekend carries extra weight as competitors like ALISHA PALMOWSKI and TINA HAUSMANN know this could be their shot at following PULLING’s path upward.
• The seven-round calendar exclusively runs alongside F1 weekends, giving these drivers the spotlight they deserve on motorsport’s biggest stage. Previous champions MARTA GARCIA and ABBI PULLING both earned fully-funded seats in higher formula series, establishing F1 Academy as a legitimate launching pad rather than just a publicity stunt. With wild card driver SHI WEI kicking things off in China, we’re watching a series that’s actually delivering on its promise to create real pathways for women in motorsport.

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