Ford Becomes Red Bull Academy Program Title Partner
Emely de Heus, Hamda Al Qubaisi and Amna Al Qubaisi meet Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson during Round 1, F1 Academy at Jeddah. Photo courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool/Mark Thompson/Getty Images.

Red Bull Racing and Ford Motor Company join forces for the 2024 F1 Academy series, featuring the automaker as the title partner of the Red Bull Ford Academy Program, the Formula One team announced on Wednesday.

Following the inaugural round of the 2024 all-female racing series, F1 Academy, held on the streets of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last weekend, Red Bull Racing and Ford have agreed on a title partnership featuring the automaker logo on the car, team, and driver apparel, the Milton Keynes outfit confirmed on Wednesday.

Julia George, Director of Partnerships Oracle Red Bull Racing, commented: “Ford is an automotive manufacturer rich in motoring history that spans generations. Welcoming them as title partner of the Red Bull Ford Academy Program is hugely exciting, demonstrating their appetite for improving female representation in motorsports both on and off the track.”

The program aims to help young female drivers develop their skills, supporting their pursuit of a motorsport professional career while promoting diversity within the sport.

In that regard, F1 Academy is a platform where progress becomes a keyword for those drivers to continue gathering experience on and off the track, providing access to technical, physical, and mental tools.

F1 Academy marks a major step forward for female drivers’ progression to the next level in motorsport and helps provide a pathway to ensure they can fulfill their potential, a commitment fully supported by Ford,” adds George.

The wealth of technical expertise that they bring to the partnership is crucial for the success of the Red Bull Ford Academy Program car, and we are excited to see what the 2024 F1 Academy season brings.”

The racing category, supported by Formula One and whose Managing Director is Susie Wolff, presents a seven-round calendar this season, where each venue is staged on F1 Grand Prix circuits, supporting the pinnacle of motorsport events across three continents.

F1 Academy, comprising five teams and a field of 15 drivers, will next race in Miami, Barcelona, Zandvoort, Singapore, and Qatar.

The season finale will take place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports, outlined: “Ford Performance is committed to working with the FIA and race promoters to find ways to integrate more female talent into all levels of motorsport, both on and off the track, and this is a great opportunity to extend that work by partnering with the best in F1 Academy.”

We have already partnered in other race series, such as Rebelle Rally, in addition to drivers such as Hailie Deegan, to bring more women to the forefront of motorsport. I am excited to partner with Red Bull to make a positive impact in F1.”

The program is run operationally by MP Motorsport, represented by Dutch racer Emely de Heus and Hamda Al Qubaisi, extending to Amna Al Qubaisi driving for the Visa Cash App RB Academy Team.

Cecilia demartini
Sports Pundit staff writer @ceci_2812
Cecilia is a writer and journalist, passionate about motorsport and tennis.Her articles are published in newspapers and international online publications.

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