F1 Heavyweights Step into the Spotlight at the F1 Academy

The paddock of the Jeddah Grand Prix is buzzing with a fresh energy this weekend. For the first time, Formula 1 drivers and team leaders are actively participating in the F1 Academy – and it’s a sight to behold!

A Shift in Attitude Towards the All-Female F1 Academy

Until recently, the F1 Academy, running alongside F1 for the past two seasons, has been operating on the periphery. Support from drivers and team bosses was scarce. However, this weekend in Jeddah, it’s a different story. Key figures from the world of F1 are engaging with their affiliated junior drivers and proudly sharing these interactions on social media.

Is this a calculated marketing move? Perhaps. But regardless of the motivation, the increased visibility and integration into the broader motorsports ecosystem is undeniably positive.

Notable Presence of F1 Elites at the F1 Academy

Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda was spotted conversing with junior drivers from both Red Bull and RB, while Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley made a visit to the paddock to spend time with his team’s drivers.

McLaren rookie Ella Lloyd received a congratulatory visit from Oscar Piastri on her Saturday win in Saudi Arabia. The two discussed the F1 Academy weekend format and compared the car to F4 machinery, with Lloyd explaining that the aero packages made it more challenging to drive.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton extended invitations to their team’s Academy drivers, Maya Weug and Aurelia Nobels, to join them in the F1 garage. Ferrari‘s Instagram post read, “Bringing the family together in Jeddah.

Mercedes Leads the Pack in Embracing Change

Mercedes has been a trailblazer in this new era, integrating Doriane Pin into its regular content with George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, and reserve driver Valtteri Bottas. The team has publicly supported the F1 Academy since its launch in 2023.

During the series’ first year, drivers like Hamilton were among the few who consistently showed up to offer support. Susie Wolff, the series’ managing director, expressed concern over the lack of driver participation during the inaugural season. “It’s a little bit sad that it’s always Lewis. He’s always the one offering support and coming over,” she said at the time. “I think in the end, he knows what it’s like to be the only one and so he has an affinity.”