I’ve been looking closely at how different racing series present themselves visually. One that stands out is F1 Academy, the junior all-female driver series. On paper, it’s part of the same universe. But visually, it tells a slightly different story.
The F1 Academy logo still uses the iconic “F1” double-stroke, but the word “Academy” is set in a lighter, more stylized typeface. It’s thinner, more elegant, and feels… softer. The F1 Academy logo features a stylized “A” with a subtle curve, integrated into a design that visually connects it to the broader Formula 1 brand. The logo uses a sleek, modern aesthetic, reflecting the series’ focus on providing a pathway for female drivers into higher levels of motorsport. While visually distinct, the F1 Academy logo maintains a connection to the main Formula 1 logo, which often incorporates a stylized “1” within a red and white color scheme. The color palette here introduces a bold pink and sometimes purple.
At first glance, you can tell it’s trying to position itself as something adjacent and more youthful, maybe even more experimental. The motion graphics and promo content follow a similar tone. The visuals are dynamic, but there’s more focus on the drivers themselves and the faces, personalities, behind-the-scenes moments. Compared to Formula 1, the Academy content feels a little more “human.” It’s framed in a way that’s maybe more relatable than aspirational.
And yet… I’m torn.
Because while the branding is clean and professional, I can’t help but wonder: Is the pink necessary? Does softness have to mean femininity coded through color? And is the lighter typeface empowering — or just another way to say “this is not real F1”? There’s something in the way it positions itself that still feels a bit separate, like a stepping stone, not a space of its own.
But maybe that’s also the challenge. Designing for a series like F1 Academy means walking a very thin line: bold enough to be taken seriously in a traditionally male space, but still “different” enough to highlight the uniqueness of the project. That visual tightrope is part of what interests me most — and what I want to explore in my own work.
Key Takeaways:
- Visual codes of “seriousness” and “fun” are deeply gendered and hard to unlearn
- Color and type can empower, but also subtly position something as “less than.”
- There’s still a long way to go when it comes to inclusive motorsport aesthetics
