Celebrating Women in Motorsport

Following on from International Women’s Day and the fast-approaching return of W Series, it is important to recognise the inspiring and powerful women in the world of motorsport. Many women dedicate their lives to the sport, making their mark and continuing to chase their dreams. With so many amazing females helping to break the bias, here are just a few who are shaping the sport and creating a diverse environment for females now and for the future.

Jamie Chadwick

After winning the inaugural season of W Series in 2019 and maintaining her title in 2021, Jamie Chadwick has taken part in many motorsport events. Chadwick started her karting career at the age of 11 and has competed in the Race of Champions, representing Great Britain. In the next few years, she hopes to secure a seat in Formula 3 or Formula 2 but without the funding to do so, will continue her journey for another year with W Series, competing for Jenner Racing. The 23-year-old’s talents on the track are highlighted in her achievements so far, one of which is being a development driver for Formula One’s Williams Racing.

Susie Wolff

As well as being CEO of Formula E’s Venturi Racing, Susie Wolff is the last female to compete in a Formula One Grand Prix weekend. Wolff tested in 2014 for Williams Racing aboard the FW36 as a development driver in addition to previously competing in the British Formula 3 Championship. Her accomplishments in F1 came after 13 years of racing where she then decided to set up her own educational program called Dare to be Different. Here she worked with students aged 8-14 to help encourage careers in motorsport. Teaming up with the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, this led to the creation of FIA Girls on Track in 2019, increasing the number of women and girls getting involved in motorsport.

Cristina Gutiérrez

Cristina Gutiérrez is a Spanish rally driver who became the first woman to win the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies. She has competed in 6 Dakar rallies from 2017 to 2022 and partakes in the Extreme E cross-country series, driving for 7-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s Team X44. Hamilton commended and recognised her efforts in a recent Instagram post sharing:

“@cris_tortu is the first woman to win the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies. I’m also proud to call her a driver for @teamx44.”

Reema Juffali

Reema Juffali is a huge symbol for change in the world of international motorsport as she is the first woman from Saudi Arabia to hold a racing license. The 30-year-old graduated from Northeastern University in 2010, studying International Affairs. After Juffali graduated in 2010, she passed her driving test and gained her license in the United States of America. Her racing achievements continue as she competes in Formula 4 and on 22 November 2019, she became the first Saudi Arabian woman to participate in an international racing competition in her home country despite the country having banned women driving up until 4 years ago.

Stephanie Travers

Trackside Fluid Engineer for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team, Stephanie Travers made history as the first black woman to stand on a Formula One podium during after the Styrian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton invited her up to the podium to highlight her amazing achievements within the sport and the team. Her journey in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team started in 2019 where she joined, providing “the technical support and analysis for the team”.

Brehanna Daniels

After training at Rev Racing in Concord, North Carolina, Brehanna Daniels is a tyre changer for NASCAR Cup Series and made history in 2017 as the first African-American woman to be a member of the pit crew. Towards the end of 2017, she continued to break barriers of change as she made part of the first female duo in a NASCAR pit crew. Daniels was introduced to the sport a year earlier in 2016, when representatives from NASCAR’s Drive for Change Program visited her college campus.