The final two rounds of the 2025 F1 Academy calendar are upon us. One of the leading figures of this season is undoubtedly Maya Weug, currently second in the overall standings. Just before the Singapore Grand Prix, the Ferrari Driver Academy protégé took a moment to talk about her career, the F1 Academy itself, the Netflix series, and her future plans. Read on!
Maya Weug and her early career
Przemysław Garczyński: Can you tell us how you first got involved in motorsport and what inspired you to start karting at such a young age?
Maya Weug: My passion has been there since I was really young. My dad used to race karts as a hobby during the weekends, and I always loved going with him to the track. Then, when I was seven, for Christmas my brother and I got a kart, and from my very first lap I completely fell in love with it.
PG: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a young driver when you were competing in Spain and Italy?
MW: Of course, when I started karting I was almost always one of the only girls, or the only girl on track. That made me stronger because I had to prove my worth and talent on track to gain the results and respect from the other drivers. But it wasn’t something that really bothered me, as it felt almost normal since that was how I grew up knowing karting.
PG: How did moving between countries and competing in different championships shape your development as a driver?
MW: It helped me grow a lot, both as a driver and as a person. Racing in different countries with different teams and styles of competition taught me to adapt quickly, which is such an important skill in motorsport. Especially making the step from karting in Spain to karting in Italy and later around the world in the WSK was a big challenge, but I got used to it quickly and improved a lot as a driver and as a person.
Experiences and successes in F1 Academy
Przemysław Garczyński: Now you are competing with successes in F1 Academy – congratulations! Can you walk us through your first season racing with PREMA Racing and how it felt to secure your maiden podiums and first win in Yas Marina?
Maya Weug: Thank you! My first season in F1 Academy was definitely a positive one with eight podiums and a win in Yas Marina. But of course, I wanted more, and that has pushed me to even better results this year, fighting for the championship with already two wins and two poles under my belt so far this season.
PG: How did it feel to finish third in the championship and what did you learn from competing against such a strong field of female drivers?
MW: I definitely learned a lot, especially racing at F1 weekends where the track evolution is so big from FP to Qualy, and it’s super important to adapt as quickly as possible. It was a strong season, but for sure this season is even stronger, and I’m looking to finish it on a high.
PG: What are your expectations and goals as you begin a new chapter with MP Motorsport in your second F1 Academy season?
MW: From the first day working together I felt really good with the team (my engineer, my mechanics, my teammates) and this gave me a lot of confidence going into Shanghai. We put in a lot of work and effort during the winter break and the first test days, and it’s been paying off in the races so far.
PG: Do you have a favorite memory or race from your time so far in F1 Academy that stands out to you?
MW: Of course, the first win in Yas Marina was special. That weekend we had struggled a lot with pace, so I started P6 in the last race. With some really tight battles and overtakes, I managed to take the lead and win, which was the best way to end the first season in F1 Academy. But definitely this year’s pole position in mixed conditions at Zandvoort, and then winning on Sunday in front of the home crowd and my family, was also an amazing feeling.
Maya Weug about Netflix Series on F1 Academy
Przemysław Garczyński: How does it feel to be featured in the new Netflix documentary series „F1: The Academy”? What was your reaction when you learned about the project?
Maya Weug: I was super excited when I first heard about the project. It has boosted our sport a lot, and the amount of people following our racing and supporting us has increased for sure. I’m certain it has already inspired many young girls to start in motorsport.
PG: In your opinion, what impact do you hope the series will have on the visibility and future of women in motorsport?
MW: I hope that it will show young, passionate girls that it’s possible to achieve their dreams, and also help increase the number of women in motorsport in the future.
PG: Are there any behind-the-scenes moments from the filming that were particularly memorable or surprising?
MW: Of course, it was great to see the win in Yas Marina featured in the series, as that was such a nice memory from last season that I’ll always keep with me.
Being a woman in a male-dominated motorsports world
Przemysław Garczyński: You broke barriers as the first woman to join the Ferrari Driver Academy. How did that moment affect you personally and professionally?
Maya Weug: It was a turning point in my career. At that moment, we were trying to find a way to move from karting to single seaters but that wasn’t possible financially, so winning the FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars program and joining the FDA gave me the chance to make that step. I still remember the first time I wore the red shirt with the Ferrari badge and walking into Ferrari for the first time, I got goosebumps immediately.
PG: What are some of the unique challenges you’ve faced as a woman racing in male-dominated series, and how have you overcome them?
MW: I think for me, because I started so early and was always the only girl at the track, it felt normal. So as soon as I put my helmet on, I was just a driver like anyone else, and that’s probably how I overcame this challenge in a very simple way.
PG: Do you feel attitudes in motorsports towards female drivers are changing, and in what ways?
MW: Yes, I think it’s definitely changing. When I started in karting there were very few girls, and now I see more and more every year. Also, with F1 Academy racing on F1 weekends and the Netflix series giving us so much visibility, people are starting to see female drivers simply as drivers, which is exactly how it should be.
PG: What advice would you give to other young girls who aspire to follow your path?
MW: I would tell them to always follow their dream, work hard for it and never give up.
Maya Weug and her Ferrari Driver Academy experience
Przemysław Garczyński: Looking closer to your connections with Ferrari… What does being part of the Ferrari Driver Academy mean to you, and how has it influenced your career?
Maya Weug: It means a lot to me, since I joined almost 5 years ago I’ve learned a lot both on and off track, which has helped me to become a better driver.
PG: Can you share some highlights or most valuable lessons from your time with the Academy so far?
MW: Especially in my first year in the Academy, making the step from karting to F4 was a big step, but having their support helped me a lot to understand better the vehicle dynamics, setups and how to approach weekends and review them in the most efficient way possible.
Supporting young female drivers
Przemysław Garczyński: Why do you think it’s important for established racers to stay involved with grassroots motorsport and help the next generation?
Maya Weug: I think karting is the base and the start for almost everyone. It’s where you learn the basics, the feeling, and the work ethic that you carry into higher categories. And because they are so young, they can learn quickly and make big progress. I also just love going back to the karting paddock, because it’s where it all started for me too.
Future plans of Maya Weug
Przemysław Garczyński: What are your main goals and ambitions for the next steps in your career, both in F1 Academy and beyond?
Maya Weug: My goal for this season is to win the championship, so all the focus is on that at the moment. Long term, F1 has always been my dream since I was a little girl starting karting, but more than anything I want to pursue my dream of racing and become a professional driver.
PG: Do you see yourself pursuing opportunities in Formula 3 or higher categories soon, and what is your long-term vision within motorsport?
MW: Of course my goal is to continue progressing on this motorsport ladder, at the moment my focus is on winning the championship and then we will see which is the best way to move upwards.
PG: Outside of racing, do you have any projects or advocacies that you are passionate about for the future?
MW: I’m very passionate about supporting young female talents in motorsport, and I want to keep being involved in initiatives that make the sport more inclusive and inspiring for the next generation.
PG: Thank you for your time! I keep my fingers crossed for this year’s F1 Academy season and further successes on your account!
MW: Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support, and I’ll do my best to make this season a successful one.
I will be glad, if you consider buying a virtual coffee as a „thank you” – it will be a goo fuel to o our best in the future ☕
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