Podcast: Grid Walk
Published Date:
Tue, 31 Oct 2023 07:00:21 GMT
Duration:
1526
Explicit:
False
Guests:
""
Please note that the summary is generated based on the transcript and may not capture all the nuances or details discussed in the podcast episode.
The finale of the first season of F1 Academy is the perfect reason for a special bonus episode of Grid Walk!
F1 Academy had their final race of 2023 in Austin during the weekend of F1’s United States Grand Prix and Marta García was crowned the first F1 Academy champion! Briana and Nicole give a recap of the inaugural F1 Academy season. Who wins Grid Walk’s F1 Academy prediction competition?
Briana and Nicole discuss if the first season of F1 Academy can be considered a success. Was this year of F1 Academy supposed to happen? How can F1 Academy prove the doubters wrong? If a driver is “fast” in F1 Academy does this mean they will be “fast” in another racing series?
Well F1 Academy is already “feeding” its first driver into another series!! F1 Academy champion Marta Garcia has been announced as a driver for Prema Racing in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA). What is FRECA? Why is this announcement about Marta Garcia moving to FRECA such a HUGE deal? What can we infer from how quickly F1 Academy made this announcement? In what ways is FRECA incentivizing teams to have a female driver?
It is no secret that in order to be a driver in motorsports it requires A LOT of financial backing. How is F1 demonstrating their belief in the value of F1 Academy as it moves into the 2024 season? Will F1’s new subsidizing strategy help more drivers get access to motorsports?
Briana and Nicole share their hopes for the second year (and beyond) of F1 Academy. How will having consistent live broadcasts affect the fanbase of F1 Academy? With the F1 Academy 2024 schedule aligning with the F1 schedule, will fans see more crossover content with drivers? What F1 teams will show their support for F1 Academy (beyond the sponsorship requirement F1 has created)?
Grid Walk is a weekly Formula 1 show that releases every Thursday. For daily F1 content follow@gridwalkshow on all social media platforms.
00:00 Formation Lap
00:50 Prediction Competition Winner Announced
02:19 How to Watch the Final F1A Race
03:04 Refresher on the F1 Academy
05:29 Was Year 1 of the F1 Academy a Success?
10:28 F1 Academy vs Other Feeder Series
12:01 Marta Garcia's 2024 Plans Announced!
17:40 The Giant Cup Returns
18:00 F1 Announces Even Cheaper F1A Seats for 2024
20:41 Our Hopes for 2024
- Episode 40 of the Gridwalk podcast featured a discussion on the inaugural season of the Formula One Academy (F1 Academy).
- The podcast hosts, Briana L. Klein and Nicole Katz, expressed their excitement about the series and its potential impact on women's representation in motorsports.
## Season Recap and Highlights:
- The F1 Academy season concluded with Marta Garcia emerging as the first-ever champion.
- Garcia dominated the season, winning multiple races and securing the title with a commanding lead.
- The series faced challenges, including limited broadcasting and initial skepticism due to its rushed implementation.
- However, the season was deemed a success by the hosts, considering the progress made and the positive steps taken towards increasing opportunities for women in racing.
## F1 Academy's Goals and Significance:
- The F1 Academy is a Formula 4 series aimed at bridging the gap for women drivers transitioning from karting to higher levels of motorsport.
- It addresses the lack of female representation in feeder series and aims to push women through the ranks.
- The series is not intended to be an all-women series, but rather a platform to provide subsidized track time and support for talented drivers.
## Season Two Outlook and Developments:
- The hosts expressed optimism for the upcoming season, highlighting improvements in the schedule, broadcasting, and team involvement.
- Every F1 team is now required to endorse a driver in the series, indicating a stronger commitment to supporting women in motorsports.
- Recent announcements, such as Bianca Bustamante joining the McLaren Driver Academy, showcase the growing interest and recognition of the F1 Academy.
## The Importance of Funding and Accessibility:
- The hosts emphasized the significance of funding and accessibility in promoting diversity in motorsports.
- F1's decision to reduce the driver contribution for Academy seats from $150,000 to $100,000 was praised as a step towards breaking down financial barriers.
- The hosts expressed hope that the series would eventually become fully funded, ensuring equal opportunities for all drivers.
## Hopes for the Future and F1 Team Involvement:
- The hosts expressed their hopes for continued growth and support from F1 teams in the Academy.
- They emphasized the importance of teams genuinely investing in the development of female drivers, rather than merely meeting the requirement to sponsor a driver.
- The potential for exciting content and collaborations between F1 teams and Academy drivers was discussed.
## Conclusion:
- The hosts concluded the episode by reiterating their support for the F1 Academy and encouraging listeners to tune in for future episodes.
- They highlighted the importance of continued progress and the role of fans in supporting the series and advocating for increased opportunities for women in motorsports.