Female racers struggle for sponsors and track time after leaving F1’s women-only series

Maya Weug's journey in F1 Academy, Ferrari's young driver program, has been fraught with challenges since 2026. Once a front-runner, Weug now finds herself struggling to secure sponsorship and track time. Despite backing from F1 Academy and Ferrari, her attempt to move into GT sportscar racing has failed for unexplained reasons.

She managed only two races in an amateur sportscar series in Belgium. Weug has expressed her disappointment on social media, stating that her achievements over the past years should have counted for something. Marta García, the inaugural F1 Academy champion, has also faced a tough year, going nine months without racing and questioning her identity.

The series, which aims to give female drivers a platform to reach higher levels of competition, has highlighted the difficulties many of its top graduates face in securing sponsorship and funding. F1 Academy's managing director, Susie Wolff, acknowledges the frustration but notes that the series is only in its fourth season and is working to break stereotypes about women in motorsports.

The soaring costs and underrepresentation of women at the grassroots level are contributing factors to the struggles of F1 Academy graduates.