Gatorade Backs Female Formula Drivers with Game Changing F1 Academy Deal

Gatorade partners with F1 Academy to support women drivers and fuel future champions.

Gatorade has announced a pioneering 5.5-year partnership with F1 Academy, becoming the first-ever official sports drink partner of the series and marking a significant milestone for women in motorsport. This collaboration is set to bring elite sports science, hydration expertise, and global visibility to the next generation of female F1 drivers, aligning with Gatorade’s Fuel Tomorrow initiative to provide 2.5 million teens with access to sports by 2030.

Beyond Branding: Science-Driven Support

The partnership extends far beyond traditional sponsorship, offering F1 Academy drivers access to the Gatorade Sport Science Institute's cutting-edge research and personalized hydration strategies. As one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports, Formula 1 requires peak performance under extreme conditions, with hydration playing a crucial role in athlete success.

"Motorsport is one of the most physically demanding sports on the planet, where optimum hydration can be the difference between winning and losing. This partnership allows us to bring our decades of sports science expertise directly to the next generation of elite drivers. By supporting young women at the start of their motorsport journey, we're not just setting them up for success at such a pivotal part of their career, we are encouraging them to see what is in them and fuel their drive and ambition for success. That's what our Fuel Tomorrow initiative is all about." said Umi Patel, PepsiCo's Vice President of Marketing Innovation and Hydration Brands.

Kicking Off at the Canadian Grand Prix

The collaboration launches with 16-year-old Wild Card driver Mathilda Paatz debuting the Gatorade-branded race car and suit at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

"I'm beyond excited to have been selected as the Wild Card driver for Round 4 of F1 ACADEMY at the Canadian Grand Prix, driving the Gatorade race car. Growing up, I was captivated by the theatre of racing – the energy, the passion, and how drivers carried the pride of their teams. To now be racing on a Formula 1 weekend, with fans around the world watching, is a dream come true. I'm especially proud to partner with Gatorade, a brand that's championed athletes at every level and is helping pave the way for the next generation of women in motorsport." Mathilda Paatz stated.

What the Partnership Means for F1 Academy

Starting from the 2026 season, Gatorade will deliver a full-scale, performance-driven partnership, including:

• Driver and race car sponsorship with bespoke livery and race suit

• Bespoke hydration research focused on the unique needs of young female drivers

• Science-backed guidance on hydration and nutrition to optimize performance and recovery

"We're proud to welcome Gatorade to the F1 ACADEMY family. What has impressed me most about Gatorade is how seriously they're investing in our drivers, not just as athletes, but as individuals with incredible potential. This isn't a surface-level sponsorship, it's a deeply hands-on partnership that brings world-class hydration science and performance expertise directly to our paddock. With the world-class expertise of Gatorade, not only will our drivers be better equipped to perform at their peak, but they'll also gain knowledge and tools that will serve them throughout their careers." as stated by Susie Wolff (Managing Director of F1 Academy).

Looking Ahead

This announcement comes at a time of significant audience growth for F1 Academy, with the new documentary "F1: THE ACADEMY" now streaming globally on Netflix and broadcasting in over 170 territories. The partnership also follows PepsiCo’s recently announced multi-year worldwide official partnership with Formula 1 until 2030.

"At PepsiCo, we believe in the power of platforms and partnerships to shape the future of sport – and to do so with purpose. This historic global partnership with F1, one of the world's fastest growing sports, is a bold step forward in our mission to fuel fandom, create culture-driving moments and incredible brand experiences on a global scale." said Jane Wakely, PepsiCo's Chief Consumer and Marketing Officer.

Stay tuned for more details as Gatorade and F1 Academy work together to inspire the next generation of women in motorsport and drive positive change in the racing world.