5 must-see moments from the new 'F1: The Academy' Netflix show

While we wait for the 2025 F1 ACADEMY season to resume in Canada, fans of the all-female series have something else to look forward to as F1: The Academy is live on Netflix now!

Recapping all the action from the 2024 campaign, the seven-episode docuseries is brimming with laughs, drama and plenty of heartfelt moments. Scroll down to see our picks for some of the most absorbing moments – and fair warning, there are spoilers ahead…

1. Chambers’ emotional maiden victory

One recurring theme across the series is the importance of family, with Chloe Chambers opening up about her own story. Born in China, Chambers was adopted by parents Matthew and Shannon at 11 months old and was later joined by siblings Oliver and Emma.

READ MORE: ‘The biggest weekend of my career’ – Chambers on returning to Miami fighting for the F1 ACADEMY title

Taken swimming by her dad to help them bond at an early age, the American driver eventually became a competitive swimmer. That energy quickly translated into racing, and when her family comes along to support her in Barcelona, there’s only one thing she wants to do – win!

Although Race 1 doesn’t go according to plan, a stellar getaway in Race 2 sees the Haas-backed driver sail into the lead and never look back. Greeted by a very emotional dad in parc fermé, we doubt there’ll be a dry eye in the house…

2. Hamilton pays Pin a visit

Racing with one of Formula 1’s top teams, Doriane Pin knows that Mercedes’ expectations for her are high, but it’s clear to see the faith the Silver Arrows have in their “speedy little lady” as Team Principal Toto Wolff calls her.

READ MORE: ‘We had one shot to get it right’ – Susie Wolff on the ‘F1 ACADEMY effect’ and the crucial next steps for the future

Throughout the series, fans can see the support the 10 F1 teams give their drivers, but the moment that perhaps showcases it most is when Lewis Hamilton heads down to the F1 ACADEMY paddock in Episode 4 to catch up with Pin.

In a moment of normalcy amidst the hectic race weekend, the pair joke about their warm-up preferences. Idolising the seven-time World Champion, the French driver hopes to inspire other young girls to chase their dreams in the same way Hamilton did for her.

3. Pulling brings the heat to Singapore

At times, Abbi Pulling looked untouchable out on track. Yet when the cameras delve behind the scenes, it’s clear that Pulling’s achievements weren’t as straightforward as they initially seemed.

Singapore proves to be a prime example, with the Briton locked into a three-car battle for pole position with Pin and Ferrari’s Maya Weug. Going fastest at one point, the Briton slips down behind the pair and Pulling’s impatience rings loud and clear on the radio, as her engineer Zimba reminds her not to let Pin get in her head.

READ MORE: ‘I’ve always had this in me’ – 2024 F1 ACADEMY Champion Abbi Pulling on her breakthrough season and the next challenge ahead

While Pulling eventually pulls through and seals both pole positions, she recognises that taking the title isn’t just about winning but keeping her rivals as far behind as possible. Getting tactical in Race 2, she blocks Pin on the run down to Turn 1, boxing the Mercedes driver in and allowing Weug to get past for P2, much to Pin’s annoyance.

4. How champions are made

The 2024 title battle raged on into the penultimate round in Qatar. However, Pulling’s visit to the Lusail International Circuit gets off to a disastrous start after a starter motor issue forces her Rodin Motorsport team to push her to the pit lane.

Frustration continues to build as traffic in Qualifying hinders her push laps, leaving the Alpine driver to qualify in third behind Pin and Weug. Banishing her disappointment on race day, Pulling finds the strength within herself to get past into P2 and deliver the title with three races to go.

5. What comes next?

As the champion, Pulling is moving onwards and upwards with a fully-funded seat in the GB3 Championship. However, for those around her, their futures are a lot less certain.

READ MORE: James Vowles, Jamie Chadwick and Lia Block set to drive Nigel Mansell’s iconic FW14B at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Graduating from university, Amna Al Qubaisi laments the fact that she’s not been able to show her potential in her second and final F1 ACADEMY season. Wanting her sister Hamda to move forward, the then RB-backed driver finds the possibility of being left behind hard to accept.

Unable to perform at the level McLaren expected of her, Bustamante has to take her career into her own hands as she explores other racing opportunities for 2025. Chambers becomes the first driver to be poached as she switches from Haas to Red Bull Ford for her second season, but fellow American Block questions whether she’s done enough for Williams to keep their faith in her.

F1: The Academy is available to watch on Netflix now before the 2025 F1 ACADEMY campaign resumes for Round 4 in Montreal, Canada on June 13-15.