F1 Academy's racers hit the track in Barcelona

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F1 Academy's class of 2023 – the first in its history – kicks off two days of pre-season testing today in Barcelona.

The inaugural all-female series promoted by Formula 1 and managed by Susie Wolff features five teams - ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, Rodin Carlin, MP Motorsport and Prema Racing – with each outfit fielding three drivers.

The Formula 4-level series will rely on Tatuus T421 chassis powered by a 165hp Autotecnica engines and will run on Pirelli tyres.

Formula 1 is supporting each competitor with a €150,000 budget, with each driver bringing the same amount through personal sponsorship deals and each team covering the remaining costs, if any.

F1 Academy's season will kick off in earnest in Austria on 28-29 April, with drivers visiting Valencia, Barcelona, Zandvoort, Monza, Le Castellet and finally Austin in October where the F1 Academy will feature on F1's support bill at The Circuit of the Americas.