Driven by storytelling: Netflix and the rise of women in motorsport

A new wave of interest in motorsport among women is reshaping the sport’s audience and participant base - and experts say Netflix’ Drive to Survive is one of the main catalysts.

The rise of female F1 fans

According to a 2025 global survey by Formula 1 and Motorsport Network, women now make up about 41% of Formula 1’s global fanbase. Among female fans, 42% report following the women-only F1 Academy - making it the second-most-followed series after F1 itself.

How Drive to Survive fuelled the rise of women in motorsport

Industry analysts and team marketing leads attribute much of this shift to the storytelling approach of Drive to Survive, which brings drivers, personalities and high-stakes rivalries into the spotlight - and makes F1 feel accessible to viewers who previously saw it as remote or male-dominated.

F1 Academy and a new pathway for women

That growth in interest is translating into real participation. The F1 Academy - created in 2023 to give young women a clear path from karting to single-seater racing - has seen a huge boost in entries. In 2024, participation in its grassroots programme reportedly rose by 400%.

At the same time, the broader cultural shift is visible trackside and online. Events, social-media posts and fan forums now regularly include women - some sharing technical discussions, others simply celebrating the sport as a whole. According to one report, nearly half of new fans under 25 are female.

For many, the transformation has changed what motorsport looks like and who it welcomes. Once a niche, male-dominated interest, F1 is becoming a sport where women are not just present - they are driving change.

Frequently asked questions

What percentage of Formula 1 fans are women?

Women make up around 41 percent of Formula 1's global fanbase, according to the 2025 Formula 1 and Motorsport Network Global Fan Survey. The share is even higher among newer fans, with roughly half of those under 25 being female. It is one of the clearest signs of how quickly the sport's audience is broadening.

How has Drive to Survive changed Formula 1's audience?

Netflix's Drive to Survive is widely credited with making F1 feel accessible to viewers who once saw it as remote or male-dominated. By foregrounding drivers, personalities and rivalries, the series drew millions of new fans into the sport and reshaped its demographic profile, particularly among women and younger audiences.

What is F1 Academy?

F1 Academy is a women-only single-seater championship created in 2023 to give young female drivers a clear path from karting toward professional racing. Among female F1 fans it is now one of the most followed series after Formula 1 itself, and its grassroots programmes have seen a sharp rise in participation.

Why is women's interest in motorsport growing?

A mix of storytelling and visible role models. Drive to Survive broadened F1's appeal, while F1 Academy created a genuine pathway into the sport. Together they have moved women in motorsport from a niche story to the mainstream, a shift brands are increasingly keen to reach.