Race Week Women in Motorsport – 30 women racing 4 different Championships this weekend. 5 years ago this was unheard of, nor written about. Now, the facts speak volumes on the upward movement of women competing cross disciplines from Extreme E Rounds 5 and 6 in Sardinia, to World Endurance Championship Round 5 in Monza, to F1 Academy Round 5 at same venue, to 24H Series – 12H Estoril in Portugal.
Such a multitude of women competing in the highest echelon of Motorsport serves as reminder of how far females have risen in ranks against their male counterparts, and importantly the diversity of skills these women have developed to remain competitive both on and off the track.
The capabilities of each woman to ply their trade-mark racing all-electric vehicles, endurance LMGTE AM cars, Tatuus F4-T421 chasis cars, and GT4 holds special significance on the legacy these women have created for present and future generations of girls to aspire to.
Taken in context, this weekend’s Extreme E Rounds 5 and 6 have healthy mix of seasoned and younger driver’s with Australia’s Molly Taylor and Kevin Hanson leading the Championship points table. Competitive forces of Laia Sanz, Cristina Gutierrez, Emma Gilmour, and Catie Munnings will vie for top spots in Qualifying through to main races, with 16 year old Lia Block making debut entry with Carl Cox Motorsport.
The potent mix of driver’s competitive nature across all 10 Teams has been grounded within the Series mandate of producing sustainable racing to protect environments around the world. All women have passionately endorsed the Series founding principle for reduction of carbon emissions within Motorsport, along with development of conservation programmes in the Round locations.
The all female Iron Dames Team have fought for pride and place on the grid and podium step in 2023 World Endurance Championship races. The group consisting of Rahel Frey, Sarah Bovy, Michelle Gatting, and Dorian Pin have experienced all extremes of the physical, mental, and emotional dial with best finish of P4 at 24H Le Mans in GTE AM category.
Currently standing P3 overall, the women face 6H of Monza Round 5 with Dorian Pin taking the driver’s seat with Prema Racing in LMP2 category. From sheer belief in their talents, to undeniable support by Team and founding member Deborah Mayer, Iron Dames continues to impress on the circuit with 3 Rounds to go.
A battle royal will take place in F1 Academy Round 5 at the same circuit as WEC Round 5, with Monza providing home advantage to driver’s passionate about racing on the ‘Temple of Speed’. The goal will be to maximize as many points as possible, from qualifying to races 1 – 3.
The upward trajectory of MP Motorsport driver Hamda Al Qubaisi has been impressive, and threatening to current Championship leader Marta Garcia (Prema Racing), standing on 155 points. Only 5 points separate the top 2, with ART Grand Prix driver Lena Buhler not far behind on 122.
Claiming pole will be important, so to will be minimizing mistakes as pressure ramps up between the 15 driver grid line-up. British driver Abbi Pulling, Spain’s Nerea Marti, Dutch driver Emely De Heus, and Hamda’s sister Amna will all spoil the pundits choice on who will take Round 5 win, heading into the final 2 Rounds in July and October.
Buggyra Racing sensation, Aliyyah Koloc steps into the spotlight racing 24H Series – 12H Estoril with Team driver’s Adam Lacko and David Vrsecky this weekend. The multi-talented driver culminates diverse set of skills on the track, as well as Team driver capabilities which will be tested given the Team’s equal standing of top position in the GT4 Championship standings.
Aliyyah has massive potential to fulfill career ambitions with carefully developed skills in Off Road and endurance circuit racing. Together with fact that the Czech-Emirati teenager has only recently turned 19, and will be contesting 2024 Dakar Rally in T1 category, can only make eyes water on what the future holds for Koloc, and for future generation of females watching.
Header photo: F1 Academy Marta Garcia and Hamda Al Qubaisi Image: F1 Academy.
Words: Sharon Cox.
Comments are closed.