The American energy drink brand, Gatorade has forged a multi-year partnership extension with F1 ACADEMY until 2030, becoming it the first official sports drink partner of the female-only racing series.
The partnership is a big step towards empowering the next generation of female Formula 1 drivers by incorporating premier sports science, hydration expertise, and worldwide visibility into their tough training.
The 5.5-year relationship begins this weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix, when 16-year-old Wild Card driver Mathilda Paatz will debut the Gatorade-branded race vehicle and outfit. This rapid activation emphasises the collaborative aspect of the collaboration, which goes well beyond standard branding.
The Gatorade Sport Science Institute (GSSI) will be integrated as a key component of the relationship. F1 ACADEMY drivers will have access to GSSI’s industry-leading expertise, which includes personalised hydration plans, performance testing, and cutting-edge research adapted to the particular needs of racing. Formula 1 is one of the most physically and emotionally demanding sports, with drivers capable of losing up to 4 kg of body weight from sweat during a single race. Proper hydration is essential for optimum performance and recuperation.
Umi Patel, PepsiCo’s Vice President of Marketing Innovation and Hydration Brands, commented, “Partnering with F1 ACADEMY is a powerful moment for Gatorade. This partnership allows us to bring our decades of sports science expertise directly to the next generation of elite drivers, 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.”
This collaboration is an important aspect of Gatorade’s “Fuel Tomorrow” project, which seeks to offer 2.5 million teenagers with access to sports by 2030. Gatorade’s sponsorship for F1 ACADEMY actively breaks down boundaries in motorsport and inspires young women throughout the world to achieve their athletic potential.
Beginning with the 2026 season, Gatorade will provide a comprehensive performance-driven partnership that will include for driver and race car sponsorship, bespoke hydration research and science-based advices.
Mathilda Paatz, the Wild Card driver making her debut in the Gatorade car, commented, “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.”
Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 ACADEMY, said, “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.”
This milestone announcement comes on the heels of PepsiCo’s recently announced multi-year global official relationship with Formula 1 until 2030, which solidifies the company’s commitment to the sport’s global expansion and focus on purpose-driven initiatives. The relationship is expected to have a substantial influence on the F1 ACADEMY’s aim of securing the next female Formula 1 driver, which will be supported by world-class research.
