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Gatorade and F1 ACADEMY: A Historic Partnership

In a groundbreaking move for the motorsports world, Gatorade® has formed a groundbreaking partnership with the F1 ACADEMY™ that promises to transform the landscape for aspiring female racers. This collaboration, set to last 5.5 years, marks Gatorade as the first official sports drink partner of F1 ACADEMY, a significant milestone in the support and development of female talents in racing.

A New Era for Women in Motorsports

This partnership is part of Gatorade's overarching Fuel Tomorrow initiative, which aims to provide access to sports for 2.5 million teens by 2030. By aligning with F1 ACADEMY, Gatorade is not just supporting athletes but is also committed to getting the next female contender onto the Formula 1 grid. The brand brings its extensive sports science and hydration expertise to aid the next generation of female drivers.

Through this collaboration, drivers in the F1 ACADEMY will gain access to the Gatorade Sport Science Institute. This access includes personalized hydration strategies and performance tests designed specifically for the unique physical demands of racing. Given that Formula 1 is one of the most physically challenging sports, maintaining optimal hydration plays a critical role in a driver's success. In fact, drivers can lose around 4 kilograms in body weight through sweat in just one race.

Kickoff at the Canadian Grand Prix

The partnership officially kicks off at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, where 16-year-old Wild Card driver Mathilda Paatz will debut a Gatorade-branded race car and suit. Mathilda represents a wave of upcoming talent and is excited about contributing to this paradigm shift in women’s motorsport. She expressed her thrill: “I’m beyond excited to have been selected as the Wild Card driver... to now be racing on a Formula 1 weekend... is a dream come true.”

Commitment to Excellence

The collaboration, which starts in the upcoming 2026 season, will take a holistic approach. Gatorade plans to invest in multiple areas, including:

• - Driver and race car sponsorship: Providing a unique racing suit and branding for a young talent in the F1 ACADEMY.
• - Hydration research: Developing bespoke hydration research focused on female drivers' unique needs.
• - Backed-by-science guidance: Delivering scientifically grounded advice to enhance hydration and nutrition for optimal performance and recovery.

Umi Patel, Vice President of Marketing Innovation and Hydration Brands at PepsiCo, highlighted the significance of this partnership, saying, “Optimum hydration can be the difference between winning and losing... supporting young women at the start of their motorsport journey, we’re encouraging them to see what is in them.”

A Growing Audience

The announcement comes as F1 ACADEMY garners increasing interest, particularly with the launch of the documentary F1 THE ACADEMY now available on Netflix. The success of this documentary indicates a growing audience and enthusiasm for women in motorsports. Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 ACADEMY, praised Gatorade’s commitment, noting that their investment reaches beyond mere sponsorship to impact drivers' personal and professional development.

Looking Ahead

This partnership signifies a transformative step in motorsport, empowered by Gatorade's dedication to innovation and excellence in sports science. As Gatorade and F1 ACADEMY unite to bolster the next generation of female racers, they are not only investing in their present but also paving the way for a more inclusive future in Formula 1. With the partnership officially kicking off soon, the racing community looks forward to witnessing the incredible talent and potential of these young female drivers.

For more information about this exciting collaboration, stay tuned as further details will be shared leading up to the 2026 Formula 1 season.