Palmowski said throughout her career she was often one of only two or three female drivers on a grid of more than 30 drivers but the F1 Academy was helping to raise the profile of female drivers.
“We race in front of millions of people,” she said.
“Thousands of people trackside at the Grand Prix… so hopefully that visibility will really increase the amount of female participation at a grassroot level.”
She said she was encouraged to see so many girls now go-karting at her former home track in Trafford Park.
“I did get my first race win here, my first podium here, so very, very special memories,” she said.
“To be back seeing the young drivers out on track doing exactly what I used to do 10, 11 years ago, who knows maybe fast forward 10 years they might be in F1 Academy – so it’s great to see.”