F1 Academy: First 2024 F1 Academy Drivers Announced

Following a highly successful inaugural season, F1 Academy has no plans to slow down. Season 2 is getting an upgrade with new teams, new drivers, and energising race locations!

F1 Academy have announced the first three drivers who will be lining up on the grid in 2024 for the second season of F1 Academy. The seven-round season will introduce 5 new races to the 2024 calendar spanning three continents and the introduction of the Marina Bay street-circuit in Singapore and the return of European favourites, Barcelona and Zandvoort. All seven rounds will be support series to the FIA Formula One World Championship™, cementing F1 Academy's ambition to become a truly global series and expanding their reach and visibility for their mission.

F1 Academy will be supported by all ten F1 teams who will each provide a driver to the series and a livery on one car. Before the close of the F1 2023 season three teams have announced their drivers for F1 Academy.

Bianca Bustamante X McLaren Racing

Source: McLaren Racing

Fans of F1 Academy will be happy to see the return of Bianca Bustamante to the grid. McLaren racing announced that Bianca Bustamante as the newest member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme and will represent the Papya Family in F1 Academy's new season, racing with ART Grand Prix. Bustamante is the first female driver to join their development programme joining the ranks of the likes of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Kevin Magnussen, Lando Norris, and Alexander Albon.

Bustamante finished 7th out of 15 drivers in the final standings of F1 Academy. The Filipina secured a podium straight off the bat in the opening race in Spielberg and went on to achieve two victories at Valencia before taking home a second-place finish at PREMA Racing's home race Monza, supporting PREMA Racing in taking home first place in the Team standings. Bustamante made her single-seater debut in 2022 with multiple campaigns, including racing in the final year of W Serites, finishing 15th with a single points finish.

Commenting on the opportunity to join McLaren's development programme, Bustamante says, "This is such an unreal moment in my career, to sign with McLaren and ART Grand Prix is way beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined growing up racing karts in the Philippines. I still have a hard time seeing my name next to McLaren without getting emotional, as the history and heritage linked to this team leaves me truly speechless."

Lia Block X Williams Racing

Source: Williams Racing

Taking to the grid this season is American racer, Lia Block. Williams have announced that 17-year-old Lia Block, will be representing them in F1 Academy as she joins their Driver Academy Programme. Undertaking her first full season in open-wheeling racing, Block will be driving for ART Grand Prix alongside McLaren junior driver Bustamante.

Block is no stranger to the world of motorsport, having already made a name for herself competing in rally, Extreme E, and rallycross, becoming the youngest American Rally Association champion in history when she won the Open Two-Wheel Drive class this year. Adding to an impressive roster of William Development Drivers, including Lance Stroll and fellow American Logan Seargent, Block will accompany female driver and three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick, who is currently competing in Indy NXT.

Following William's announcement, Block expressed, “I am so excited to be joining the Williams Driver Academy and competing in F1 Academy in 2024!”. “This is something I never could have dreamed of. I can’t wait to embrace this new experience and learn as much as possible.”

Tina Hausmann X Aston Martin

Source: Aston Martin

Tina Hausmann is the latest driver to be announced for 2024 F1 Academy season. Swiss racer Hausmann will be representing Aston Martin and competing for PREMA Racing under the mentorship of Jessica Hawkins, Aton Martin's newly appointed Head of Racing for F1 academy.

Stepping up to single seaters this season, Hausmann has already begun to impress, earning a podium in the Formula Winter Series during her debut weekend. Hausmann continued her success claiming victory in the female category of the Italian F4 Championship.

Looking ahead to the upcoming F1 Academy season, “F1 Academy is an incredible opportunity for me; it’s an amazing series that I’m proud to be a part of,” said Hausmann. “I know I’ll learn so much that will really help me as a driver, including the experience I’ll gain from racing at seven new tracks in front of big crowds. It’s going to be a whole new world, but I’m so excited to get started. Representing the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One® Team in the series is a huge honour".