F1 Academy graduates caution about a 'dead end' situation.

      Maya Weug, a former driver from the Ferrari-backed F1 Academy, has emerged as the latest female racer to express concerns about what comes next after the highly publicized all-women series. Just a year after competing for the F1 Academy title, Weug revealed that her planned program for 2026 fell apart right before the season, leaving her without any scheduled races.

      "I’ve been trying to highlight the positives throughout the season, but the reality is that this has been the toughest year of my career so far," she shared on Instagram. "A year ago, I was contending for a championship, securing wins and stepping onto the podium nearly every weekend. I never imagined that less than a year later, I would find myself in this situation."

      Weug participated in three Belcar races, including achieving a podium finish during her GT debut, but mentioned that her planned participation in the Zolder 24 Hours has also vanished. "As of now, I have no upcoming races."

      She pointed out that the core issue lies with funding and the scarcity of opportunities once drivers exit the women-only category. "Motorsport is a challenging realm, and without a budget, it will always be tough to race. However, that has not deterred me thus far, and I will continue to strive for a way to get on the track. I expected that the results I achieved over the past years would have had some impact."

      Former F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling shares a similar concern, asserting that the category "doesn’t resolve all the problems." "Ultimately, F1 Academy does a fantastic job, but the challenges arise after F1 Academy and what follows," she told Feeder Series.

      Pulling believes that real progress will only materialize when women consistently advance into Formula 3, Formula 2, and eventually participate in Formula 1 practice sessions. "We talk about racing at higher levels, yet we still lack a female driver in F2 or FIA F3." She emphasized that substantial efforts from influential figures in F1 and the teams are needed to provide women with opportunities to drive larger cars with increased downforce.

      Nonetheless, Pulling remains optimistic that a woman will eventually make a return to the Formula 1 grid. "It's not a question of if, but rather when. We just can't predict the timeline."