After an exhilarating season and first race in Austin, Texas, Prema Racing driver Marta Garcia was crowned as the F1 Academy Champion of 2023, making history and taking the win of Race 1 at the Circuit of the Americas in late October. The Spaniard fought hard for the title, initially having a good pace but being forced under pressure by racers Abbi Pulling and championship contender Léna Bühler. Whilst being encouraged by her race engineer, Pulling could not overtake Garcia during the race's final lap, leading Marta to take her seventh win of the season, as well as the championship title, needing only a minimum of 16 points to take first place. On the podium alongside Pulling and Bühler, Marta was ecstatic about her victory, congratulated by Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton, and the trophy presenter, George Russell.
“[I’m feeling] really good, amazing, of course. When I won, when I crossed past the chequered flag, I didn’t really feel it, I don’t know why!”
"But after that, during all the lap, I started even being a bit emotional, and then [thinking of] everything, like all of the hard work we’ve been doing this year with the team, all of the hard work during all of the years.” "It’s great to obviously win the championship, being the first champion of F1 Academy as well, it feels amazing.”
Susie Wolff, the current managing director of F1 Academy, expressed her congratulations on Garcia’s incredible work over the past season, mentioning that whilst Marta had driven “a great race”, she has “just been very impressive” throughout. She is also excited to see where the Spanish driver will go next in her racing career, hoping to support her in the journey beyond. (Sky Sports)
"I'm really excited to see where she goes from here because we're going to be putting our full support behind her to make sure that she carries on and progresses up the ladder." - Susie Wolff
The inaugural season of F1 Academy features 5 teams: MP Motorsport, Prema Racing, ART, Campos, and Rodin Carlin, with each team entering 3 drivers to bring the final grid to 15 drivers.
Future Opportunities
As the season has now been brought to a close, Marta Garcia has received full funding to be able to compete in the FRECA (Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine) championships, alongside PREMA Racing, as organisations such as F1 Academy, Tatuus, and Pirelli will provide financial support for the cost of the seat. (F1 Official Website)
This has undoubtedly shown the commitment of F1 Academy to provide drivers with support and opportunities to move up the racing ladder, as they aim to collaborate closely with and provide the F1 Academy championship winner for each season, with support to progress further in her racing career. The FRECA championships were launched in 2021 and have established themselves as being capable of developing drivers’ skills and experience to move up from an F4 level series to the FIA Formula 3 championships.
"So thrilled and excited to be racing in FRECA next year. Coming from F1 Academy, it’s going to be a big step. We know we will have to work a lot with the team to succeed but I’m really determined to do well.”
Marta Garcia expressed her gratitude to F1 Academy and the motivations behind it, looking ahead to her first season in the FRECA championships.
"I can’t thank F1 Academy enough. It is such a fantastic initiative, and it is the right way to do it, trying to take drivers with the best results to the top level. What an amazing opportunity, I’m looking forward to it and to the work that we have ahead, inside and outside the track."
"F1 Academy is all about progression and creating more opportunities for young women across motorsport, so to offer a fully funded seat in FRECA for our inaugural champion is a significant moment.” - Susie Wolff, MD of F1 Academy
Team Principal at PREMA Racing, Rene Rosin, stated: "We are really happy to continue working with Marta for 2024. We were really impressed by her approach and professionalism, and the progress she made throughout the year showed that she is ready to take the next chapter of her career,” according to F1’s official website. "This step is also a great testament to the work done by F1 Academy in the development and promotion of young women's talent in motorsport. The Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine is a challenging and competitive championship, but we think that Marta will be up to pace, and we will support her to get there as quickly as possible."
She also has reflected upon her past season with the team, and the immense amount of effort she has had to put in with her team, explaining how through the highs and lows of the season, an array of emotions surfaced after winning the race. (F1 Official Website)
“It’s amazing, [there were] mixed emotions, a lot of emotions. When I crossed the finish line my eyes were watering, I was crying. But it’s because of all of the work that we’ve been doing during all this year, working with the team so hard, in the simulator, outside of the track, everywhere.”
“On track [there were] a lot of tough days. We had a lot of months as well from May to July, working a lot through a lot of racing, so it’s great, it’s like this feeling of ‘we did it’ after all this work.”
She believes that the race in Austin was the highlight of the season, because the F1 drivers and crowd were all there, cheering the drivers on and creating a positive ambience which was extremely memorable for Garcia. Having met Lewis Hamilton at Parc Ferme shortly after her win, she explains how the British driver has been an inspiration to her for a very long time, as she praised him for his support.
“It was amazing, I’ve always looked [up] to Lewis, he’s one of my favorite drivers in F1, and just having him there – waiting for me, to congratulate me – it’s amazing. I think it’s thanks to Lewis as well for trying to inspire people and also giving visibility to F1 Academy – he’s really inclusive, so it’s just great.” “Also Carlos [Sainz], of course. I’m following Carlos’s year, he’s done well, he’s won a race, he’s doing really good, and just being able to have some nice talks with him is really good.”
Garcia ultimately believes that this is only the beginning of what F1 Academy can achieve as a series, as all F1 teams will look to have one car competing in F1 Academy next year, alongside another driver. “As we say, it’s getting started,” Garcia stated. “I think there is a lot coming right now – 10 F1 teams for next year, so [it’s] good to be with F1. I think it’s going to be massive.
“I think it’s great for the opportunities for young women. Right now it’s just been the first year, but I think this is nothing – there is a lot to come. There are a lot of things that will come and I’m sure it’s going to be great, and also with the programs [F1 Academy runs like] Discover Your Drive and Champions of the Future. All of this is really good, and I think there are still more things to come, more things to be able to do, and [it] will be mega.”
Marta Garcia acts as a huge role model and inspiration for many aspiring female racers looking to prove their talents in the motorsport industry, as she has made history and continues to encourage racers to follow their dreams and look for support to be able to enter into open wheel seater series from karting, and beyond.
“I would say if you like motorsport, just get into motorsport, get a car, [tell] your dad or your parents ‘I want to race, I want to try’. Just try it and see if you like it, and then if you like it, just do it. If you have the support, just do it – there is a lot more support [available], like Discover Your Drive. I think there’s going to be much more support as well [in the future]. I would say, follow your dreams and keep going.”
A massive congratulations again to Garcia’s victory, and we should hopefully see more female talents like Garcia gaining the support and recognition that they deserve to develop their skills and move into the higher classes of racing. The journey has only just begun!
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