F1 Academy drivers excited after first taste of Lusail Circuit

Young female drivers have described the Lusail International Circuit (LIC) as a challenging track after experiencing it for the first time.The circuit will host the sixth round of the F1 Academy series, scheduled from November 29-December 1, as a support event for the highly anticipated Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024. This marks Qatar’s first time hosting an F1 Academy race.The all-female, single-seater F1 Academy series is currently in its second season. Using Formula 4 machinery, the series features seven rounds on the calendar, supported by all 10 F1 teams, each backing a driver. The final round is set for Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi next month.The racers were enthusiastic as they kicked off a three-day, final in-season test at the LIC yesterday."It’s such an interesting circuit – very high-speed and flowing. It’s one of the few tracks on the calendar with really high-speed corners,” said Hamda al-Qubaisi of Red Bull Racing, who comes from a well-known motorsports family. "It’s also physically demanding, and we need to make sure we’re physically prepared.”Hamda, daughter of Khaled al-Qubaisi, a prominent figure in UAE motorsport, and younger sister of Amna al-Qubaisi – the first Emirati female racer to compete in the Formula 4 UAE Championship, commented on the potential for female drivers to compete at higher levels.The 22-year-old, who in 2021 became the first woman to claim a podium in the Italian F4 Championship, said: "We now have the support of the F1 Academy in the F4 category. Hopefully, in the future, we’ll be competing in the higher categories. I think once we get into better cars, it will be easier for us to move towards F1.”Meanwhile, French driver Lola Lovinfosse of Rodin Motorsport team, looked forward to "the most challenging part of the season”. "The race here is going to be very exciting. I think this track is very special, with its high-speed corners. It’s going to be the highlight of the season. It’s very fast and flowing and will bring good racing,” she said.Starting out in karts in 2018, Lovinfosse has since stepped into single seaters, racing in Spanish Formula 4 in 2021 and 2022. Lovinfosse raced for Campos last season, claimed three podium finishes, including two at her home French round at Paul Ricard, on the way to ending the year tenth in the drivers’ standings.The 19-year-old spoke about her journey in racing. "I’ve been that little young girl who didn’t have anyone to look up to, so I am really proud to be in Spain’s young girl’s academy. It is obviously something I wanted to achieve,” the French teen said.She also had a message to young girls who are dreaming to make it big in formula racing. "I want to say to the young girls aspiring to be in sport that they have to keep pushing, to believe in themselves and for it will be possible. I don’t think there is too much difference between the men and women,” Lovinfosse said."It’s just that it something new and the mentality of course which you should keep changing and improving. We didn’t have many female racing drivers in the past so it is something new for everyone and it is just a matter of time - sooner or later that women would also be there in F1. It’s a long way... Formula 3, Formula 2 but I think in the next 8 to 10 years it can be a possibility,” she added.All 10 Formula 1 teams have joined the F1 Academy project this season, each nominating a female driver. Marta Garcia, the inaugural champion, has progressed to the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) with Prema and is currently racing for Iron Dames.This year’s winner will earn a fully-funded seat in GB3 next season with Rodin Motorsport, along with 20 days of testing, funded by F1 Academy and Pirelli. Alpine junior Abbi Pulling, driving for Rodin, currently leads the F1 Academy standings with two events remaining and could clinch the title in Qatar.