Presentation of Women in Motorsport Media – past, present, and in the future. Such topic of conversation has been squarely placed at the forefront of Team’s previewing their corresponding driver line-up for the new season, unheard of so-many-years-back, now – welcomed with open arms by fans, followers, and Media producer’s world-wide.
From introductions to women racing under Brand/Team associations, to staged displays of driver’s accompanied by car/logo/colours, to placement of female driver’s under photo-shoot lighting, with gear, Branding, and helmet’s in hand – such spectacles have elevated the status and profiles of women in Motorsport above and beyond.
Starting with the recent presentation of Dacia’s crew line-up who will spearhead the all-new prototype Sandrider car in The Dakar Rally T1+ category in 2025. Spanish driver, Cristina Gutierrez takes the next leap up her racing career ladder, driving for Dacia along-side her co-driver – Pablo Moreno Huete – uniting with alumni driver’s Sebastien Loeb and 5x Dakar Rally winner – Nasser Al-Attiyah. A momentous occasion indeed.
Neither complete nor satisfied that such a career move will be the be-all-end-all decision – Cristina was up-close-and-professional at McLaren’s presentation of driver’s for the 4th season of the all-electric Extreme E Championship. Behind the wheel of Neom McLaren XE car, with Mattias Ekstrom, the announcement on display was swathed in glorious pomp and ceremony, setting new waves on previews for racing to come.
And, so it was with delight that news reached Media outlets on the announcement that French driver – Dorian Pin – would be joining Prema Racing for F1 Academy Series, 2024. Having showcased her capabilities behind the wheel in Karting, to World Endurance Championship – including Le Mans – Dorian reinforces the fact that females have proved their worth amongst the hierarchy of Motorsport – specifically within the Italian based Team.
If that representation was top of Dorian’s list, the inclusion within Iron Dames schedule – competing in WEC 2024 – was equally impressive. Quoted as being the ‘shortest one of the 3…’, Media attention can certainly switch from covering Dorian in single-seater to GT3, making previous history of noting which women deserve recognition a thing of the past.
To put Red Bull’s announcement of including 3 women: Hamda Al Qubaisi, Amna Al Qubaisi, and Emely du Hues within F1 Academy’s MP Motorsport Team in context – take a glimpse back – even 7-10 years ago. #1 there was no single-seater Series for women to race, gain Media exposure at the highest echelon of racing – at F1 selected Rounds. #2 there was no global racing Brand even the remotely bit interested in providing women driver’s the opportunity to race under their profile, not then, nor in the foreseeable future.
#3 Media outlets – the big ones – were not the least pushed to promote women racing as Latest News – rather relegated as side-line message in case there was nothing else to write about. #4 there were no previews of women ready to race up-coming season across FIM and FIA disciplines – no photos, no articles, no interviews, and least of all no reports of rider-driver-Team-Brand associations on or off track.
So, just see how far the tide has turned, to the benefit of women steering their racing career goals in upward trajectory. Yes, such change has come off the back from all those females who poked, prodded, shoved, and pushed to race in their respective race disciplines, and wouldn’t each be proud as, to see the changes that have taken place.
Header photo: Dorian Pin Image: Team Graphics MXLink
Words: Sharon Cox.
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