Champions of the Future – F1 Academy
Youth drivers supported by the F1 Academy experienced the thrill of victory during the opening round of the Champions of the Future karting series in Italy.
The recently launched karting series, known as the Champions of the Future Academy (COTFA), made its debut at the Cremona International Circuit in Italy over the weekend.
COTFA kicked off its first of six rounds in 2024, featuring three different categories for boys and girls: Mini (ages 9-12), OK-N Junior (ages 12-14), and OK-N Senior (ages 14-18).
In collaboration with the F1 Academy, three female drivers were selected from each category to participate in the Discover Your Driving program of the exclusive series for women.
Luna Fluxa, a driver supported by the F1 Academy, dominated the heats and emerged victorious in both the first and second races, as well as the final race of the opening day in the OK-N Senior category.
Ella Hakkinen, a 12-year-old driver and daughter of two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen, triumphed in the second final of the junior class, showcasing her skills in both dry and wet conditions.
On Saturday, five female drivers achieved positions in the top ten, with Sofia Povazhnaia securing the highest position among them.
As the championship moves on to the next round in Valencia, Spain, on May 10-12, three female drivers currently hold positions in the top ten in the overall standings.
Sara Matsui, a driver from the Williams Academy, delivered a consistent performance throughout the event, finishing in the top ten multiple times alongside her fellow drivers supported by the F1 Academy.
The list of female drivers receiving support from the F1 Academy includes Sara Matsui, Victoria Farfus, Angelina Simons Torres, Sofia Povazhnaia, Ella Hakkinen, Vanesa Silkunaite, Amelia Wyszomirska, Katrina Ee Wing Thung, Vera Jurland, and Sujana and Sanjana Dandu.
The F1 Academy provided karts and racing suits with their brand for their supported drivers during the weekend, and also offered a testing opportunity for the top three female drivers in the Senior category.
Thanks to the collaboration between COTFA and the F1 Academy, the participation of young girls in motorsport has been encouraged, resulting in about 25% female entries in the Italian round.
COTFA operates an affordable system called “arrive and drive”, where kart factories Parolin and Kart Republic provide the chassis, while TM Kart and IAME provide the engines.
Vega acts as the tire supplier for the series, and RGMMC, the promoter and event management company, provides fuel, tents, carts, and benches in the paddock.
The main goal of the series is to support young drivers in their progression through the categories, allowing them to participate in a karting championship without facing financial difficulties.
