Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024 beamed purple on International Women's Day
March 09, 2024
The 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah beamed brightly in purple, the color of women's equality, as its many racers, teams, organizers and fans came together on what was a truly exciting International Women's Day (IWD).
With their global impact and dedicated fan base, participating racing teams hold the power and influence to help #InspireInclusion through elevating the visibility and participation of women in motorsport.
From the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body for many auto racing events including Formula One (F1), through to the many participating teams in Formula One (F1), an impressive focus was elevated for women in motorsport.
Fearless, trailblazing women pushing boundaries
FIA, the highest authority in world motorsport, supported a focus on IWD by celebrating women champions Sophia Flörsch, Marta Garcia, and the Iron Dames.
"Meet the driving force behind change: Sophia Flörsch, Marta Garcia and the Iron Dames team. Fearless, trailblazing women pushing the boundaries of motor sport. Around the World, their determination fuels the future of the FIA - #FIAWIM | #IWD | #InspireInclusion" posted the FIA on its social media feed.
"A rising star in single-seater racing, Marta Garcia's talent and determination exemplify the next generation of female drivers destined to leave an indelible mark on the motorsport landscape," said the FIA.
"A formidable collective of accomplished women in motorsport. The Iron Dames team is a powerhouse breaking barrers and setting new standards in the world of racing," the FIA wrote about the Iron Dames.
Iron Dames team also sent out their own important message to #InspireIncusion: "Women united by passion, driven by dreams. Our diversity is our strength, our unity is our power. Together, let's inspire inclusion and empower the next generation with every step we take. Happy International Women's Day! #IronDames #WomenDrivenByDreams #InspireInclusion #IWD2024."
Forging diversity and inclusion across the industry
A joint initiative between the FIA and Motorsport UK, The Girls on Track programme was founded in 2019, and aligned with Susie Wolff’s Dare to be Different initiative she founded in 2016.
Girls on Track UK seized the opportunity to mark IWD highlighting its partnerships and work undertaken to ensure motorsport provides inclusive opportunities.
"Today has been a great day to reflect on all our partnerships and the work we do within the industry to #inspireinclusion. We are so proud to work with McLaren F1 racing and their Engage program to encourage greater female participation within the sport. @McLarenFE @McLarenXE," explained Girls on Track.
Events to inspire girls and women into seeing and believing that there is a rightful and valuable place for them in the motorsports industry is top of Girls on Track UK's agenda. The varied range of opportunities within the sport means that there is something for everyone, regardless of your interests, gender and race. Girls on Track UK is proud to be an inclusive environment and welcomes all trans, non-binary, intersex, and gender fluid people who would like to be part of the community. They have a great team of Ambassadors who are inspirational women within motorsport. From team principles to mechanics, presenters to engineers, their Ambassadors cover the breadth of the sport. Attending school and networking events, in addition to speaking at virtual events are just a few ways that their ambassadors are actively involved in this initiative. They provide an important insight into the sport and their support and knowledge is invaluable.
An important inspiration for Girls on Track is Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy. Susie began her competitive motorsport career over twenty years ago, starting out as so many of her racing contemporaries did, on the karting track. After cutting her teeth in karting, Formula Renault and DTM for Mercedes-Benz, Susie went on to make history at the 2014 British Grand Prix by becoming the first woman to take part in a Formula 1 race weekend in 22 years. Follow Susie Wolff on Instagram.
Supporting the impressive driver, Doriane Pin
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team showed its support for Doriane Pin who started karting in 2013 and stepped up to the Renault Clio Cup in 2020. A big break with Iron Dames came in early 2021 for Doriane, and this led to a full-time racing program.
"A big LH hug for Doriane Pin," said the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team congratulating Dorianne on an inspirational win, as they shared a video of Doriane in Jeddah being congratulated by colleagues, including racing icon Lewis Hamilton cheering her on.
"An incredible opening round of F1 Academy for Doriane Pin. Securing pole position for both races and dominating the weekend to lead the series standings, despite a post-race penalty in race 2. Congratulations on your F1 Academy debut, Dori! We couldn't be prouder," posted the Iron Dames.
The F1 Academy race winner Doriane Pin, however, was handed a 20-second penalty thus promoting second-placed Abbi Pulling to the top step of the podium. Ferrari's Maya Weug was placed in second and Tommy Hilfiger driver Nerea Marti was elevated to the podium. Jessica Edgar was classified in fifth ahead of Hamda Al Qubaisi, Bianca Bustamante and Carrie Schreiner. Amna Al Qubaisi dropped to P8 ahead of Doriane, while Chloe Chambers completed the point scorers.
Meanwhile, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team celebrated its female champions posting on its feed to its almost 5 million fans: "Celebrating all the women in our team on #InternationalWomensDay. From the factory to the race track, we strive constantly to #InspireInclusion." The highly popular social media post resonated strongly with fans, who showed agreement with more than 13,000 likes and over 1,300 reposts of this welcomed statement.
Inspiring women drivers worldwide
"Continuing to inspire young female drivers all over the world #InspireInclusion #IWD," said Scuderia Ferrari as it shared with its 4.9 million X followers some fabulous images of its talented racers breaking barriers and serving success in the sport, amassing thousands of likes.
Proud of all women in the team
The BWT Alpine F1 Team showed their incredible support for women also: "Happy International Women’s Day. At Alpine we are proud of all the women in our team, and are always pushing to do more to #InspireInclusion."
The team also shared an inspirational message from British racing driver Abbi Pulling who is a member of the Alpine Academy program. Spanning six different series from FIA Formula 2 through to European Karting, the Academy program continues to develop young talent with the aim to help them progress in their careers in both the formula and endurance series.
"Happy International Women's Day! I'm here in Jeddah for the first race of the season in the F1 Academy with BWT Alpine F1 Team. Really looking forward to hit the track and inspire the next generation of young racers," said Abbi.
Showcasing the many career opportunities in motorsport
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team - the only American team on the Formula 1 grid – joined forces with the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah and the Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) – Promoter of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – to showcase the many career opportunities in motorsport to hundreds of students on the eve of F1’s return to the Kingdom.
"As part of #InternationalWomensDay, Anna Saad from our aerodynamics department, spoke to female students at a STEM event at Andalus International School in Jeddah about her journey from growing up in Saudi Arabia to joining an F1 team and what career paths are open to them," the team posted.
“Having returned to Saudi Arabia after a couple of years away, a lot has changed in a short time and meeting students today really took me back in time. It’s encouraging to see the number of female students interested in STEM increase since my education, and it’s important that they can interact with those working in STEM industries and hear how they can take their interests and passions and turn them into a career. I hope I provided insight and advice on the next steps of their studies, just as their enthusiasm showed me exactly why I wanted to work in the STEM sector. Everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team feels it’s their duty to be able to give back and make motorsport accessible, and the event today was a great example of that,” shared Anna.
Furthermore, the team shone a light on its women who work tirelessly to support the team's success.
"We’re celebrating the women who represent a wide range of departments across the whole #HaasF1 team on #InternationalWomensDay. #IWD2024 #InspireInclusion," posted the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team.
Exploring how to forge a more equitable world
In the lead up to IWD, the Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team rallied their support for women's inclusion in the sport.
"Celebrating #InternationalWomensDay. Earlier this week we were joined by our team members, partners, young people from local schools and inspirational women in sport to explore how we can forge a more equitable world for women and inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion across all fields of endeavour, worldwide. Together, we can all #InspireInclusion," said the post on the Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team social media feed.
The Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team further stated: "Working together to forge a better world. Rounding up #InternationalWomensDay with a look back at our panel discussion with Citi and female sporting figures - exploring how we can #InspireInclusion through sport and encourage others to understand the value of women's inclusion."
Hear from presenter, Derin Adetosoy, about this fabulous session.
Celebrating women in motorsport
A further supportive Formula 1 team, the iconic Williams Racing, shared images of its women colleagues striking the #InspireInclusion pose in solidarity for women's equality.
Williams Racing also hosted a Girls on Track event that aimed to #InspireInclusion with employees, and British racing driver Jamie Chadwick was in attendance as role models.
"Happy International Women's day! 💙 This week we hosted a Girls on Track event aiming to #InspireInclusion with some of our fabulous employees and @jamiechadwick in attendance as role models!🤩," said Williams Racing.
Watch the video showing some impressive highlights from Williams Racing's Girls on Track event.
Celebrating the many women working behind the scenes
IWD also saw McClaren F1 celebrate the impressive work of some of the women working behind the scenes. McLaren F1 featured women who "inspire inclusion together" as they work to support the next generation.
Some of the women featured included Ryoko Maeda, Executive Assistant Senior Associate; Eve James, Operations Graduate; Mollie Moore, Senior Licensing Executive; Robyn Newman, Primary Partner Executive; and Josie Lupprian, Senior Internal Events Executive.
Plus, hear directly from some of the many talented women about what it's like to work for McLaren's inclusive and diverse team and what their work entails.
Opening the doors to motorsport
To inspire inclusion of women in all facets of motorsport, Jaguar TCS Racing opened their doors to the future generation of motorsport.
30 girls from across the UK took part in interactive workshops in a behind-the-scenes tour of Jaguar's new facility in Kidlington.
#InspireInclusion for women in motorsport
With a long history of being a traditionally male-dominated sport, the world of motorsport can embrace positive change. With teams using their influence and visibility to #InspireInclusion, women can be actively supported to accelerate their ambition.
Through key initiatives like F1 Academy and Girls on Track, and the tireless efforts from major role models like Susie Wolff - in addition to spotlighting female role models, highlighting career pathways, and stepping forward to celebrate awareness opportunities such as International Women's Day - inclusion can become a reality and positive change can be driven.
Collectively, let's speed ahead!