The world of motorsports has been male-dominated for decades. Over time, massive efforts have been made to combat this issue and bring a more inclusive nature to the sport, but there is still a lot of progress to be made.
Women are largely underrepresented in the sports industry, but motorsports is one of the groups where this issue occurs most often. In fact, the last time a woman competed in Formula 1 was over 30 years ago when Giovanna Amati raced for Brabham.
Giovanna Amati was the last woman to race in Formula 1, having competed in 1992. Courtesy of Speedqueens.blogspot.com.
A large topic of conversation regarding the lack of female inclusion in the sport is that fewer women are interested in motorsports as a career than men. While this statistic may be true, there is context that accompanies this fact that can explain why the number is so drastically different.
Young girls aren’t typically encouraged to consider a career in sports, and their interest in it is seen as more of a hobby. They aren’t considered seriously, so they move on to other things. Boys have a much higher rate of going pro due to the larger amount of sports that cater to them and will support them as a career on their own.
Even when women excel as professionals in their respective sports, it is often accompanied by another job to support them financially. For example, the famous Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders aren’t paid enough for their roles alone and must rely on other ventures to make up for it.
Steps have been taken to combat this issue; many people now recognize professional women’s sports. The Paris Olympics was a prominent event that highlighted female athletes such as Simone Biles and Ilona Maher, giving their fields more spotlight in the media.
While many women actively work in Formula 1, they don’t see the same representation as their male counterparts. During the 2024 season, no women had the opportunity to represent their team on the podium. Joanna Fleet was the last female to have been recognized on the podium, which was three years ago. She was also only the 10th woman on the podium to collect the team trophy.
Joanna Fleet, the head of human resources at Red Bull, was the last woman to have been recognized on the podium back in 2022. Courtesy of @femalesinmotorsport on X.com.
These statistics open up a deeper question of what needs to change, not only in motorsports but in the sports industry as a whole. Multiple teams have had many opportunities to highlight a woman, but they chose not to. It isn’t only because of the unequal ratio of male and female employees, as there are women who actively fill these roles that aren’t being given these opportunities.
It’s important to recognize the countless women who have broken barriers in the sport and paved the way for more female inclusion in motorsport. From the beginning of the sport, women have existed within motorsports, in different series, and behind the scenes. Those numbers aren’t expected to decrease.
Susie Wolff is one of the most notable female figures in motorsport, having made an impact on fans, drivers, and others who work in the industry. In 2023, she launched F1 Academy, an all-female racing series designed to get more women involved in motorsports and to excel in other series. Since its initial launch, multiple brands such as Charlotte Tilbury, Tommy Hilfiger, and all ten Formula 1 teams have signed on to support drivers racing in the series.
F1 Academy has opened up possibilities for young female drivers to kick start their journey into single-seater series. Courtesy of F1Academy.com.
Wolff is known for more than just F1 Academy, as she was the first female driver in two decades to participate in a Formula 1 race weekend in 2014. She became a development driver for Williams Racing in 2012, where she was later allowed to drive.
More recently, Laura Mueller became the first woman in Formula 1 history to become a race engineer. She will be working alongside Esteban Ocon with Haas during the 2025 season. This was a groundbreaking moment for women in motorsport and hopefully will open more doors for continued progress.
Ruth Buscombe Divey is an obvious role model when discussing women in motorsports, as she transitioned from an in-team role to media. Buscombe Divey has had experience with multiple teams, having been a race strategist for both Ferrari and Haas. She worked as the head of race strategy for Sauber and now works as the F1 race strategy presenter.
While she still works in her area of expertise, moving to a media role can be challenging. The British presenter has found more freedom in this new role, and her insight on strategy is extremely helpful for fans watching F1TV during the races. Buscombe Divey is an example of the sheer talent and drive that women working in sports have and showcases the different avenues that can be explored.
Countless women have made an impact on motorsports and there will be more to come in future years. With big milestones still happening, the only way is up from here. Women deserve a seat at the table, and everyone is responsible for making sure there is equal opportunity for everybody in these spaces.
Edited by Reese Dlabach
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