Aston Martin F1 Team engineer Sósanna Ní Dhubháin helps accelerate action for gender equality

With a long history of being a traditionally male-dominated sport, the world of motorsport is taking steps to Accelerate Action for women and their career ambitions.

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 continuing support for many women working tenaciously within the wider motorsports arena who help make the sport and its events a success.

Championing STEM career pathways

One way to encourage women's participation in motorsports is to spotlight the many STEM career pathways available. Engineering is a vital STEM sector in motorsports, with many different job roles, including mechanical, electrical, software, and automotive. Motorsport engineers are vital to design and build high-performance vehicles that are safe, durable, efficient, and fast. Engineers also support drivers and teams in the development and planning of race strategies, briefing and coaching drivers to get the best performance out of the car, and make real-time adjustments to vehicle performances during races.

Spotlighting Aston Martin F1 engineer

In Northern Ireland, as part of its International Women's Day (IWD) 2025 activity, Newry Chamber hosts an IWD 2025 event at Killeavy Castle Estate featuring an Aston Martin F1 engineer as its keynote speaker. 

Aston Martin is a regular supporter of IWD, for example in 2024 the Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team rallied their support for women's inclusion in the sport. The Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team were joined by team members, partners, young people from local schools and inspirational women in sport to understand how they can better forge a more equitable world for women. The team also hosted a panel discussion with Citi and female sporting figures, exploring how to inspire inclusion through sport and encourage others to understand the value of women's inclusion.

Sósanna Ní Dhubháin is an engineer renowned for her significant contributions to Formula 1, particularly with the Aston Martin F1 Team. A native of Rostrevor, a village in County Down, Northern Ireland, and past pupil of Sacred Heart Grammar School in Newry, she embarked on her professional career as a Junior Composite Designer at Team Lotus in 2011. Over the years, Sósanna advanced through various roles and in 2024, she was promoted to Lead Composite Engineer at Aston Martin F1 Team, where she now oversees the design and development of major components for the car.

A strong champion for diversity within engineering and motorsport, Sósanna mentors students and encourages women to pursue careers in STEM fields. Sósanna wants to inspire the next generation of engineers and Accelerate Action for gender parity in the profession. Now a respected figure in the motorsport engineering community, Sósanna's dedication and expertise has championed Irish talent on the global stage.

Celebrating women's achievements

Newry Chamber's event, sponsored by Southern Regional College, KPMG Ireland and Zen Orthodontics, is a celebration lunch aligning with the campaign theme Accelerate Action.

Continuing with a sporting theme, the event also hosts a panel of inspirational local women who are all high achievers in their respective fields.

Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber, commented on the purpose of the event.

“The lunch is all about coming together as a local business community to celebrate the achievements of women, spark important conversations and, most importantly drive meaningful change. We are delighted to have secured a truly inspiring lineup of speakers and panellists who will share their experiences and insights. Their voices reflect the strength, ambition and resilience of women across all walks of life," explains Edwina.

“This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is Accelerate Action, a powerful reminder that progress requires more than just conversation it demands action. I hope all our guests leave the event with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to making a difference, whether it is in their workplace, community or personal journey," adds Edwina.

Supporting women-focused charity

Guests will enjoy refreshments served in the spectacular surroundings of Killeavy Castle before proceeding into the castle pavilion for an afternoon of incredible speakers, local food and live music. 

Women’s Aid Armagh Down is the Charity Partner for the event, and the focus of Newry Chamber's fundraising efforts for the whole of 2025 as they work towards a much needed and purpose-built facility on the Downshire Road, Newry requiring £2 million in funding.

Newry Chamber is the largest business-to-business organisation in the Greater Newry Area, representing in excess of 300 local businesses of varying sizes from all sectors of the business community. A leading voice for businesses in the Greater Newry Area, they promote the area as a happy, healthy place to live, work, study, shop, visit and invest - and provide members with business support and representation to governments at all levels, working together with a range of key stakeholders.

Driving positive change in motorsports

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. 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.