Meet the Women Racers Rewriting the F1 Academy Dress Code

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Updated on May 27, 2026 at 3:11 PM

Courtesy of F1 AcademyGettyCourtesy of F1 AcademyGetty

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The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix marked a special moment for the women drivers of F1 Academy. Disney launched its Minnie Collective platform at the start of race weekend — introduced by F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff — who highlighted the collaboration's core purpose: to celebrate a new generation of women who are natural leaders and unapologetically ambitious and confident. Of course, the partnership includes key Disney x Formula 1 Academy products — from the Minnie Mouse Pullover Hoodie ($150) to the Minnie Mouse Icon Pin ($30) — that the drivers sported proudly all weekend long to showcase the fact that women in motorsport are just getting started.

Since 2022, F1 Academy has grown tremendously, broadcast in 160 territories with a Netflix documentary to show for the fan hype. Formula 1's 2025 Global Fan Survey showed that female fans now account for three in four new fans, with 42 percent of females from the 100,000 people surveyed confirming they already follow F1 Academy.

F1 Academy is collaborating with big-name brands in addition to Disney (many of which target women), including last year's Hello Kitty collection and the announcement of the official LEGO Racing team on the grid in 2026. 75 percent of girls surveyed think racing sounds exciting, while 52 percent could see themselves as an F1 Academy or race car driver one day, according to research performed by LEGO. While a walk through the paddock will show you that men are still very much at the forefront of F1's commercialization (they are the "celebrities" so many fans want to see), the women's presence in Canada could be felt more than ever, and it made me proud to be a female F1 fan.

Here, five of the women racers — including Mercedes's Doriane Pin, Ferrari's Alba Larsen, Alpine's Nina Gademan, Racing Bulls's Rafaela Ferreira, and Williams's Jade Jacquet — tell Popsugar what they see for the future of women in motorsport, why they're proud to be role models for young girls, and how they define their signature style on and off the track. Watch me play Secret Teller with Susie Wolff and some more of the drivers below, then learn more about the women of Formula 1.

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Doriane PinCourtesy of F1 AcademyGetty

Doriane Pin

Name: Doriane Pin

Team: Mercedes

Style Signature: "I approach fashion and beauty in the same way as racing: it's about expressing who I am while paying attention to the small things that make a difference," Pin says. She likes to wear clothes that exhibit strength and confidence while adding her own personal touch.

"Style, to me, is another form of performance, it's about feeling ready, sharp, and authentic."

Collaborations: "As a driver, you mostly express yourself on track — that's where it really matters," Pin says, adding that fashion collaborations can only be a benefit. "It's very nice that we can also show a bit more of who we are outside of the car, and fashion is a nice way to do that."

The Future of Women in Motorsport: "Of course, as women in a male-dominated sport, there can be more attention on what we wear. I think it's partly because there are fewer of us, so people notice us more," Pin says. "But I see it as a positive — we have the chance to show that, no matter your gender, you can express yourself and be confident while doing your job on the same level as anyone else."

Shop Her Look: Adidas Adicolor 3-Stripes Slim Knit Track Top ($57, originally $85). Adidas Originals Adicolor 3-Stripes Firebird Track Pants ($45, originally $75).

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Alba LarsenGettyCourtesy of F1 Academy

Alba Larsen

Name: Alba Larsen

Team: Scuderia Ferrari

Style Signature: Larsen says that motorsport has made her more confident with fashion, explaining, "On track, I'm in race mode, my suit is my armor. Off track, style becomes an extension of my identity. Personal style is how I stay grounded and expressive. I love playing with color, contrasts, different fits, and going between sporty, elegant, and street." She looks to small details like a necklace or sneaker to accent her look — a trick she learned from working with stylists.

"I'm detail-oriented. Precision builds confidence, and that translates beyond the cockpit."

Collaborations: Larsen describes the paddock as a "runway" of sorts for drivers to gain exposure and seek partnerships with brands that match their personality and style. "We're part of culture, I see it as an opportunity to add more to the sport. There's power in embracing both performance and glamour." she says. "A brand I'd love to work with would be Barbie," she says. "I think we can do a lot for young girls together by opening their eyes to what's possible, they can be whatever they want to be."

The Future of Women in Motorsport: "I'm hoping for a grid that's 50 percent women on merit," Larsen declares. "That will be great for the sport, the world, and a total game-changer." She also imagines a racing suit that's more feminine and easier for going to the bathroom. "I love modular pieces, technical fabrics, and bold accents. Maybe a tailored jacket that zips into a race suit-inspired dress. Everything would move with me, tell a story, and honor both the sport and style," she imagines.

On social media, where Larsen chooses to share insight into how hard she's working, she receives comments telling her to focus more on racing. "I've never seen guys get that," she points out. "It's kind of a pointless comment, as without my ambassadorships, I would not be able to race. I'll keep doing things my way, there's never a moment where performance doesn't come first."

Shop Her Look: Puma Speedcat OG Sneaker ($100).

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Nina GademanCourtesy of F1 Academy

Nina Gademan

Name: Nina Gademan

Team: Alpine

Style Signature: "⁠On track it's all about performance, but off-track style is how I express who I am," Gademan says. She describes her signature style as a mix of elegance and sporty edge. "It's my way of showing confidence without having to say anything. When you feel comfortable, the confidence shows naturally. ⁠I'm a very down-to-earth, no-nonsense person, but I'm selective with what I wear. I like outfits that feel purposeful and true to me. When everything fits my vibe, that's when I feel the most confident walking into the paddock," she says, continuing, "I enjoy that the paddock has evolved, but it doesn't change who I am. I stick to looks that feel like me."

The Future of Women in Motorsport: Gademan definitely feels like men can wear almost anything without being scrutinized, while women get analyzed for every detail, but she doesn't necessarily see it as a disadvantage. Instead, "it's an opportunity to show that you can be strong and stylish." In the future, Gademan hopes women can express themselves freely without being judged for it, and she wants to see "more individuality, more acceptance, and a paddock where style is seen as confidence, not a distraction."

Shop Her Look: Castore Alpine Racing Pullover Hoodie ($49). Levi's Blue Tab Shank Trucker Jacket ($99, originally $248).

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Rafaela FerreiraCourtesy of F1 Academy

Rafaela Ferreira

Name: Rafaela Ferreira

Team: Visa Cash App Racing Bulls

Style Signature: Ferreira confirms that motorsport has taken her sense of style to new heights, where choosing what she wears, taking care of herself, and paying attention to the details of her fashion and makeup make her feel confident in who she is. "At the start, to be honest, I didn't dress very well, but over time, I started to take more care and now I love getting ready," she says. "I like wearing clothes that represent me, whether that's a sporty vibe or something else." She name drops Daniel Ricciardo's Enchanté as a clothing collection that brings style and motorsport together."

"I always say that I'm not there to be like the men, I'm there to be a woman who is just doing the same thing as a man."

Social Media: "With social media, it's something that you need to take a look of care with. I like to mix what I post, whether that's my personal life or my professional life. I like to share different parts of my day - from training, to the gym, to the moments that are really me," she says. "In the future, I want to talk more about the challenges that I've faced and the things that I go through because I think it could help other girls feel more connected and understood."

The Future of Women in Motorsport: Ferreira maintains that even though motorsport is a male-dominated environment, that shouldn't stop her from being feminine. "I always say that I'm not there to be like the men, I'm there to be a woman who is just doing the same thing as a man."

Shop Her Look: Enchanté Garage Script Tee ($55). APL Nostalgia '87 ($295).

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Jade JacquetCourtesy of Atlassian Williams F1 Team

Jade Jacquet

Name: Jade Jacquet

Team: Atlassian Williams F1 Team

Style Signature: While Jacquet notes that the paddock has shifted into a runway of sorts, naming Lewis Hamilton as a leading character in the fashion space, her own style remains practical. "For me, personal style is really a reflection of who someone is — it's something very individual," she says. "Whether it's how I dress or how I present myself, I'm always looking for something that feels efficient and authentic, just like when I'm behind the wheel. Performance always comes first, and it's still the core of this sport."

Collaborations: Jacquet hopes to work with French brands that share her values in the future. "For me, it would need to be more than just about looks — it should have a real connection to performance, materials, and authenticity," she says.

"What gives me confidence more than anything is preparation: knowing I've done the work beforehand, both physically and mentally."

Social Media: For Jacquet, striking a balance between media appearances and the technicalities of her sport can be difficult to portray on Instagram. However, she maintains that "authenticity really shows when you share genuine moments," explaining, "What matters to me is staying true to myself, keeping things simple, and not creating a version of myself that feels disconnected from reality."

The Future of Women in Motorsport: "In 10 years, I'd really like to see more women represented at every level of Formula 1 — from drivers to engineers to leadership roles," Jacquet says. "It's important for the sport to become more accessible and inspiring for the next generation, while still staying close to its fans and evolving with the times."

Shop Her Look: Asos Design Sculpting Halter Neck Crop Top in Merlot ($38). Gap Cotton Gauze Easy Joggers ($47, originally $80). Atlassian Williams F1 Team Line Varsity Jacket ($200).

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Sarah Wasilak (she/her) is the PS Shopping Director. With plenty of experience in the fashion industry and over 11 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing and creating social videos across the lifestyle, health, and fitness categories. She is the host of the "Dinner for Shoes" podcast and has bylines at InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit.

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