(Reuters) – Spanish racing driver Marta Garcia has secured a fully-funded drive in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) for the upcoming season. This opportunity comes after Garcia emerged as the champion of the inaugural all-female F1 Academy series, Formula One announced on Thursday.
Garcia, 23, who previously participated in the now-defunct W Series, will now compete against male drivers as a member of the top junior team Prema Racing in the European series, which is positioned below Formula Three.
The funding for Garcia’s drive in FRECA will be provided by Pirelli, F1 Academy, the team, and car manufacturer Tatuus.
“F1 Academy aims to facilitate progression and generate more opportunities for young women in motorsport. Consequently, providing a fully-funded seat in FRECA to our first-ever champion signifies a significant milestone,” stated Susie Wolff, the Managing Director of F1 Academy.
Based in Italy, PREMA is the reigning champion in FRECA and also competes in Formula Three and Formula Two. Notable drivers such as Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, Oscar Piastri from McLaren, and Mick Schumacher, son of Michael Schumacher, have won the FIA F2 championship with PREMA Racing. Lance Stroll from Aston Martin and Esteban Ocon from Alpine became European F3 champions with the team as well.
Since the late Italian driver Lella Lombardi’s grand prix appearance in 1976, no woman has participated in a Formula One race.
In the upcoming season, F1 Academy will support seven grands prix, with races taking place on three continents, commencing in Saudi Arabia and concluding in Abu Dhabi.
Jamie Chadwick from Britain, a three-time winner of the W Series title, has transitioned to competing in the U.S.-based Indy NXT championship with Andretti Autosport. This championship serves as a feeder series for IndyCar.
Reporting from London, Alan Baldwin; editing by Ken Ferris.
