Let's #AccelerateAction in motorsports for women and girls

The focus on forging gender equality in motorsport has seen a significant rise in recent years, driven by wide-ranging initiatives from many governing bodies, teams, sponsors, and advocacy groups.

The need to Accelerate Action for women drivers is key, as is the continuing support needed for the many women working tenaciously within the wider motorsports arena who help make the sport and its events a success.

What's been happening in motorsports? 

Over past years, there have been a number of dedicated programs and championships aimed at supporting and elevating women within the motorsports industry. 

Created in 2018 by entrepreneur, race driver, and president of FIA's Women in Motorsport Commission (WIM), Deborah Mayer, Iron Dames is a project aimed at supporting women in motorsport at all levels, from drivers through to mechanics, engineers and managers. It's a pioneering project aimed atv elevating women in sport to the highest level and acting as a beacon of empowerment.

W Series was an all-female single-seater racing championship that ran from 2019 - 2023 was a free-to-enter championship for women, showcasing female talent globally and promoting gender diversity in motorsport. All three editions were won by iconic champion, Jamie Chadwick.

Girls on Track, an FIA initiative, encourages young girls to explore careers in motorsport, whether as drivers, engineers, or in further roles.

Launched in 2023, F1 Academy is an all-women series by Formula 1 to help prepare and develop female drivers to make the step up to higher levels of motorsport, including Formula 3, Formula 2 and Formula 1, providing them with track time as well as technical, physical, and mental support. F1 Academy encourages the next generation of female talent to explore their own motorsport journeys through breaking down barriers to entry on track in the F1 Academy Racing Series and through grassroots initiatives, and as such making motorsport more diverse, inclusive, and accessible.

Furthermore, many racing academies and organizations, such as Ferrari's Driver Academy, have begun including women in their programs.

Mentorship programs like 'Women in Motorsport' by the FIA are helping connect aspiring professionals with experienced mentors.

There has also been an increase in the representation of women in decision-making roles, including team principals, engineers, and officials. For example, the ever impressive Susie Wolff has been a vocal and tenacious advocate, serving as a team principal and leading various gender inclusion initiatives.

Elevating visibility of women in motorsport

Increased coverage of women drivers and engineers in documentaries, social media, and motorsport broadcasts has also helped. Netflix series, Drive to Survive, has certainly built significant mainstream interest in motorsport, yet audiences called out the lack of women present in the program. However, a new Susie Wolff-led Netflix series, a Drive to Survive-like docu-series produced by Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, could help pave the way for more women and girls enjoying the motorsport spotlight.

Susie, according to the New York Times, is said to be very ambitious and bold, and not afraid to fight for something she believes in.

"...I believe if we get it right with F1 Academy and build a very strong Foundation, we can have huge impact in the sport long-term. And it's not going to happen overnight that we suddenly find a female in the Formula 1 grid, but I do believe over time we'll get more participation at carting level, and we'll get more young girls and women coming through. And we're not just focused on the on track...it's not just about the next female Formula 1 driver. It's opening up all the different areas of the sport...there areas so many talented women in Formula 1 already. They're not always visible, they're not always seen, but when you're in the sport you recognize how many talented women there are. I think it's really important that we show to the outside world what the possibilities are in the sport and that's where our own Netflix show which is being produced by Hollow Sunshine is so important just to break down this preconception that it's such a male-dominated industry because it is changing, and I think credit to the sport..." says Susie.

Additionally, relevant research is also critical. More than Equal, a not-for-profit initiative that focuses on growing female participation in the sport, and founded by former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard, has conducted important research in recent years regarding the gender gap in motorsport. The organization found that only 51 per cent of survey respondents knew women could compete in F1.

Brands and sponsors have also focused on highlighting female talent, creating a more inclusive narrative for fans.

Plus, there has been much grassroots development. For example, very effective karting programs tailored to young girls are helping nurture talent from an early age. Some local motorsport clubs have also been offering subsidies and support to encourage more female participation in the sport.

Policy and advocacy are also key. For example, the FIA's Diversity and Inclusion Commission actively promotes gender balance in all areas of motorsport.

Plus, importantly, there have been calls for equal prize money, exposure, and opportunities worldwide for women in motorsport.

Furthermore, well-aligned collaborations with sponsors and brands are helping forge the mission. Companies like Aston Martin, Alpine, and Puma have partnered with women drivers and initiatives to actively promote inclusivity. These collaborations not only provide financial backing, but also amplify the visibility of women in the sport.

Let's speed ahead and accelerate action for women in motorsport

While progress has been made, challenges such as overcoming gender stereotypes, improving funding, and bridging the talent pipeline gaps remain.

Sustained efforts across these dimensions are key to ensuring that motorsport becomes a truly inclusive field.

There's still work to do. Let's #AccelerateAction for women in motorsport.