Image shows a motorsport car.

Lily Gilbey

In recent years, women in motorsport have been making significant entries in the traditionally male-dominated industry, particularly within the Formula Series.

Historically, the number of female drivers in the sport has never risen above five per cent of the total pool. However, a 2021 survey showed that female interest in motorsport had doubled in the last four years. We can therefore establish that women in motor racing are as important as ever. Here are the top five pioneering women in motorsport right now:

Sophia Floersch

German driver Sophia Floersch made history as the first female to obtain points in the F3 Championship this year, when she finished in seventh place. Even with the difficult weather conditions during the race, Floersch persevered and the results paid off.

“It’s always amazing to come and race on this legendary track but this year it has been extra special,” Floersch said after her spectacular performance, adding: “There will be more to come and we keep on working”.

The iconic nature of the Spa-Francorchamps track in Belgium only made this victory even more significant, not only for Floersch but for women in motorsport as a whole.

Marta Garcia

At just 23 years old, Marta Garcia emerged as the inaugural champion of the first F1 Academy Championship in 2023. Her victory not only pays homage to her talent but also shows the importance of initiatives like the F1 Academy in showcasing the talent within female motorsport.

“Garcia is expanding horizons for modern female racing drivers.”

Garcia’s win saw a new chapter in her racing career, as she joined the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) series with a fully funded seat for the 2024 season. The Spanish driver shared her excitement about receiving the funding, saying: “I can’t thank F1 Academy enough. It is such a fantastic initiative, and it is the right way to do it, trying to take drivers with the best results to the top level”.

Garcia is expanding the horizons for modern female racing drivers. She is also inspiring change for teams, as they begin to look at women as potential drivers and give them a future that promises greater inclusivity and diversity in the racing world.

Bianca Bustamante

Bianca Bustamante is a young, talented racing driver from the Philippines, who is making waves in the motorsport world. Competing for PREMA in the 2023 F1 Academy, she currently holds an impressive seventh place in the Championship. Her racing prowess is not the only thing that sets her apart but is also a historic achievement. She’s recently been announced as the latest addition to the McLaren Driver Development Programme for 2024.

https://twitter.com/racerbia/status/1718858925356069347

Bustamante’s inclusion in the programme is groundbreaking; she is the first female driver to ever join the prestigious programme. Upon the announcement, Bustamante humbly expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, saying: “This is such an unreal moment in my career, to sign with McLaren and ART Grand Prix is way beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined growing up racing karts in the Philippines.”

She added: “I’m immensely thankful for this chance, as I believe I now have the best possible development structure to propel my career to the next level. I am truly grateful for this opportunity”.

Susie Wolff

Former racing driver Susie Wolff — also known as Susie Stoddart — is empowering women in motorsport. After many years spent karting, the Scottish driver made her mark in Formula Renault. She notably drove in the 2014 British Grand Prix, making her the first woman to take part in an F1 race weekend in 22 years.

At present, Wolff is the Managing Director of the F1 Academy. The Academy is an all-female driver programme aimed at developing young talent for higher-level competition.

Léna Bühler

Swiss driver Léna Bühler has not only demonstrated her talent but also her unwavering dedication to motorsport. She currently holds second place in the 2023 F1 Academy Championship. Her first podium appearance occurred during the second race of the Championship, marking a significant milestone in her career.

Her late start to karting in 2016 did not hinder her abilities. She progressed to the Spanish F4 in 2020, where she claimed six top-10 finishes. Bühler was the first female driver to race in FRECA in 2021 before an injury ended her campaign early. Despite this, she has still broken down barriers for women in motorsport — especially in FRECA.

Jamie Chadwick

British race driver Jamie Chadwick has left her mark on the world of motorsport. She notably claimed victory in the inaugural Women’s Series in 2019 and went on to become a three-time W Series champion.

Additionally, she made history as the first female driver to win a British GT championship, a BRDC British Formula 3 race and the MR Challenge Championship.

“Jamie represents what it means to break down barriers.”

Her ambition led her to the competitive INDY NXT, where she drove for Andretti Autosport. Chadwick was the first woman in 13 years to compete in the Championship full-time. She scored 262 points in 14 races during her debut season, solidifying her status as a dominant force in INDY NXT.

Chadwick’s team boss, Michael Andretti recently commented on her growth, saying: “Jamie represents what it means to break down barriers and continues to impress everyone in our organisation. The growth that we saw in Jamie’s rookie season was strong and we’re confident that coming back to Indy NXT is the right choice as she continues to advance her open-wheel career”.

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Featured image courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: Corporate via Flickr. No changes have been made to this image. Image license found here.

Hi, I'm Lily, and i'm currently studying my Masters Degree in Visual Journalism. My passion for motorsport encouraged me to pursue my journalism career further through my writing.

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