First look at ‘F1: The Academy’ on Netflix — “I’m not here to be a model”

The first trailer for Netflix’s upcoming docuseries, ‘F1: The Academy,’ was released Tuesday. The one-minute clip offered fans a glimpse of what they can expect from the seven-part sports doc focused on the all-female junior racing series, F1 Academy.

Produced by Reese Witherspoon’s media company Hello Sunshine, the show follows the massive success of ‘Drive to Survive,’ Netflix’s flagship motorsport series that helped bring F1 to mainstream audiences. While F1 Academy may lack the kind of intense on-track rivalries that define F1, the trailer hints that the show will focus heavily on the personal and professional obstacles the young women are facing away from the track.

“They’re 15 of the best female drivers from around the globe. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Susie Wolff, the managing director of F1 Academy, is heard saying in a voice over. “If you can’t cut it in F1 Academy, there’s not going to be much of a career left for you.”

The trailer introduces reigning champion Abbi Pulling, who asserts, “I’m here for a career in racing, not to be a model,” while we see shots of fellow drivers Lia Block posing for selfies and Bianca Bustamante flipping through one of her fashion magazine photoshoots.

Bustamante, a fan favorite and former McLaren development driver, is featured prominently. Despite her popularity, she admits to struggling at times during the season. “I want to prove myself, and I’m running out of races,” she says.

We previously spoke to her about the opportunities - and drawbacks - of leveraging social media as a means to build popularity and help fund an ultra-expensive racing career. “The hard work I’ve done building my brand has helped me afford to race. I didn't have any support from my parents financially so [social media] wasn’t even an option, it was something that I had to do,” she told us in late 2024.

“It can be very tormenting at times, and the pressure and the workload can be insane … I feel like I'm not allowed to make mistakes, because everyone's always constantly watching and waiting for you to fail,” she added. “The main thing I’ve done over the past two years is maximize opportunity. You've got an amazing chance to be alongside Formula 1, to meet sponsors, to meet companies and brands, and to find the funding that you need to move up the ladder.”

‘F1: The Academy’ arrives on Netflix on May 28.