F1 Academy cars hit track for first time ahead of debut season

F1 Academy cars have hit the track for the first time ahead of the category's debut season getting underway.

The 15 drivers and five teams set to compete in Formula 1's all-female driver category – which aims to help in preparing young female drivers to progress through the ranks of motorsport – are taking part in a two-day test session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from 11-12 April.

Footage released on social media shows the number 2 car of Campos Racing's Lola Lovinfosse leaving the pits to take to the circuit.

Other clips have also been shared from behind the scenes, with former W Series driver Abbi Pulling seen getting behind the wheel of her Rodin Carlin machine.

The test will offer the teams and drivers a final chance to prepare ahead of the inaugural F1 Academy season beginning its seven-round schedule in Spielberg, Austria on the weekend of 28-29 April.

From there, the category will race in locations such as Valencia, Zandvoort and Monza before the season finale takes place on the F1 support bill at the United States Grand Prix on 20-22 October.

Check out footage from the debut F1 Academy test below!