Formula One’s surge in popularity, alongside other racing series, has drawn a notable uptick in female enthusiasts. This rise owes much to the resounding success of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” documentary, the widespread availability of global streaming platforms for races, the emergence of TikTok, and the indirect influence of the #MeToo movement.
Since its inception in 1950, the Formula One World Championship has spanned 72 years among mostly male participants. Remarkably, only five women have dared to enter a World Championship Grand Prix during this extensive period. Among these, merely two managed to qualify for the race and subsequently participate in it.
The current moment in motorsport feels ripe for change, with various factors aligning to ignite transformation. This era may not only witness the emergence of the next Lella Lombardi, who graced the F1 grid almost 20 times, but also pave the way for an influx of female mechanics, race engineers, and even team racing principals akin to Guenther Steiner, Christian, or Toto.
Amidst this burgeoning movement, one prominent figure stands out: Susie Wolff MBE, who serves as a deserving torchbearer for the cause.
CLARA FAULKNER 