F1 Academy Looks to Cement Las Vegas as Season Finale

Series managing director Susie Wolff discusses the growth of the all-female racing series and its place in the entertainment capital of the world.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:35pm

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Susie Wolff, the managing director of the all-female racing series F1 Academy, spoke with the Las Vegas Review-Journal about the series' successful debut in Las Vegas in 2025 and its plans to return to the city for the season finale in 2026. Wolff discussed the series' growth, its ability to attract a large female fan base, and its goals of providing opportunities for young women racers, including those from the United States.

Why it matters

F1 Academy's presence in Las Vegas highlights the growing popularity of women's motorsports and the city's emergence as a premier destination for major sporting events. The series' ability to partner with iconic brands like Hello Kitty demonstrates its potential to reach new audiences and challenge perceptions about who belongs in the sport.

The details

F1 Academy, the all-female racing series supported by Formula 1, will conclude its 2026 season with two races on the 17-turn, 3.853-mile course in Las Vegas on Nov. 20 and 21. This will be the second consecutive year the series has raced in Las Vegas, with Wolff describing last year's event as a 'next level' moment for the series. Wolff hopes the city can become a fixture on the F1 Academy calendar, citing Las Vegas' ability to host large sporting events and support women's sports.

  • F1 Academy will race in Las Vegas on November 20-21, 2026.
  • The series debuted in Las Vegas in 2025.

The players

Susie Wolff

The managing director of the all-female racing series F1 Academy.

Payton Westcott

An American racer competing in F1 Academy.

Kaylee Countryman

An American racer competing in F1 Academy.

Ava Dobson

An American racer competing in F1 Academy.

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What they’re saying

“We're grateful for the amount of support we get from the U.S. and from within Las Vegas. It's really what allows us to gain so much momentum year on year. It's part of the reason why we've created this buzz around the series.”

— Susie Wolff, Managing Director, F1 Academy

“Las Vegas is just so good at being versatile in terms of being able to put on such a big sporting event, being used to putting on spectacles and having so much for guests to do outside of just the race. It's getting real known as well for also supporting women's sports.”

— Susie Wolff, Managing Director, F1 Academy

What’s next

F1 Academy will return to the Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 20-21, 2026 to conclude its 2026 season.

The takeaway

F1 Academy's growing presence in Las Vegas highlights the series' ability to attract a large and diverse audience, including a strong female fan base. The city's support for women's sports and capacity to host major events make it an ideal destination for the series to showcase the next generation of female racing talent.