Marta Garcia to step up into FRECA junior series for 2024 season

After claiming the title in the newly-created F1 Academy, the all-female series has confirmed that Marta Garcia has earned a fully-funded seat in FRECA junior series for 2024 season.

Garcia will race in 2024 with the title-winning Prema team in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, which sits between F4 and F3 on the motorsport ladder. Morover, F1 Academy has confirmed that PREMA Racing, Tatuus and Pirelli will all provide a financial contribution towards the cost of the seat.

F1 Academy noted: "This announcement underlines F1 Academy’s commitment to prepare drivers for a higher level of competition and support their progress up the single seater ladder. Each season F1 Academy will work in close collaboration with the F1 Academy teams to support its winner in progressing up the motorsport ladder."

FRECA was launched in 2021 as a result of the mergence of the Formula Regional European Championship and Formula Renault Eurocup . The series defines itself as "a respected proving ground for young drivers looking to develop the skills they need to progress from an F4 level series to the FIA Formula 3 Championship."

As part of a milestone agreement, FRECA will also grant its top teams a season-long fourth entry if they sign a driver who finishes P1, P2 or P3 in the F1 Academy standings.

In addition to supporting its inaugural winner in FRECA, F1 Academy will also reduce the driver contribution from €150,000 to €100,000 for the 2024 season.

Managing Director of F1 Academy Susie Wolff commented: “F1 Academy is all about progression and creating more opportunities for young women across motorsport, so to offer a fully funded seat in FRECA for our inaugural champion is a significant moment. The fact that she will also continue to race with PREMA, whom she has built a relationship with and are current team champions in this category, will also aid in her future development.

"I am proud of the progress we have made in our first season, and as we begin to build for our 2024 season where we will join the F1 calendar, this announcement, alongside the decision to further subsidise the 2024 F1 Academy driver contribution to €100,000, is a statement of our continued commitment to make motorsport more accessible and break down the barriers faced by female drivers.”

Commenting on the next step of his career, Garcia said: “I’m so thrilled and excited to be racing in FRECA next year. Coming from F1 Academy, it’s going to be a big step. We know we will have to work a lot with the team to succeed but I’m really determined to do well. I can’t thank F1 Academy enough. It is such a fantastic initiative, and it is the right way to do it, trying to take drivers with the best results to the top level. What an amazing