Netflix dives deep into world of sports with Reese Witherspoon

Netflix is exploring the world of Formula 1 racing in greater detail with help from Reese Witherspoon.

A documentary series named F1 Academy, produced by Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, will follow the women-only developing sector of the racing circuit. The show is presently in production, with a 2025 premiere date planned.

F1 Academy will be available on Netflix together with Formula 1: Drive to Survive, a collection of sports documentaries.

“We started Hello Sunshine to change the narrative for women, and [managing director] Susie Wolff and F1 Academy are doing just that by creating new opportunities in the thrilling world of motorsport,” Witherspoon said in a statement. “As these dynamic and fearless drivers break barriers behind the wheel, we are excited to partner with Netflix to tell the stories of these powerhouse leaders. What we know is that when we put women at the center, people show up to watch.”

F1 Academy was established by Formula 1 in late 2022 and ran its first season last year. The goal is to produce younger female drivers who can advance in the sport's levels. Heading the programme is Wolff, a former professional driver.

“We want to be the rocket fuel that drives female participation in our sport, both on and off the track,” Wolff said. “To have the F1 Academy docuseries launch globally with Netflix is not just a huge step forward in visibility for our mission, but also a resounding statement about the momentum and demand for women’s sport. We want to inspire and empower the next generation of young women, and Netflix will open up F1 Academy to a global audience of existing and future fans.”