Gatorade has announced a partnership with the F1 ACADEMY until 2030, becoming the first-ever official sports drink partner of F1 ACADEMY. This collaboration goes beyond branding, leveraging Gatorade’s sports science and hydration expertise to fuel the next generation of elite female drivers, company officials stated in a press release.
As one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports in the world, Formula 1 requires peak performance under extreme conditions. It is estimated that drivers can lose up to 4 kilograms of body weight through sweat during a single race. Through the partnership, F1 ACADEMY drivers will gain access to the Gatorade Sport Science Institute’s industry-leading expertise, including personalized hydration strategies, performance testing and research to help them perform at their peak.
Gatorade’s Fuel Tomorrow Initiative
This partnership is part of Gatorade’s Fuel Tomorrow initiative, which aims to provide 2.5 million teens with access to sports by 2030. By supporting F1 ACADEMY, Gatorade is helping to break down barriers in motorsport and inspire young women around the world to pursue their potential, noted the press release. Commencing from the 2026 season, Gatorade says that it will deliver a full-scale performance-driven partnership with F1 ACADEMY, including:
- Driver and race car sponsorship – Supporting a rising talent on the 2026 F1 ACADEMY grid with a bespoke livery and race suit to help amplify their talent on the global stage.
- Bespoke hydration research – Understanding the unique hydration needs of young female drivers.
- Offering backed-by-science driver hydration and nutrition guidance – Providing hydration solutions to optimize driver performance and recovery.
“Partnering with F1 ACADEMY is a powerful moment for Gatorade,” said Umi Patel, PepsiCo’s vice president of marketing innovation and hydration brands. “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.”
Mathilda Paatz Debuted the Gatorade Car & Suit at the Canadian Grand Prix
“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,” Paatz stated before the race. “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.”
Growth of F1 ACADEMY Bolstered by Netflix & PepsiCo
The announcement of this milestone partnership comes at a time of significant audience growth for F1 ACADEMY, with the highly anticipated documentary, “F1: THE ACADEMY,” now streaming globally on Netflix, in addition to broadcasts in over 170 territories, company officials stated.
“We’re proud to welcome Gatorade to the F1 ACADEMY family,” said Susie Wolff, managing director of F1 ACADEMY. “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.”
This collaboration follows PepsiCo’s recently announced multiyear worldwide official partnership with F1, running until 2030. More details of the brand partnership and how Gatorade will be working with the F1 ACADEMY drivers will be shared in the lead-up to the sponsorship’s official commencement in the 2026 Formula 1 Season.
“At PepsiCo, we believe in the power of platforms and partnerships to shape the future of sport, and to do so with purpose,” said Jane Wakely, PepsiCo’s chief consumer and marketing officer. “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.”