Formula 1 : Why Are There No Female Drivers ?
Since the 1900s, women have actively involved in various types of motorsports. Camille du Gast, who became the first woman to consistently race at an international level, to Englishwoman Dorothy Levitt in 1903, who set a world record in a Napier-engined speedboat and also won her class at the Southport Speed Trial in a race car, earning numerous awards and setting records at the time. Recent success stories include Shirley Muldowney, known as the ‘First Lady of Drag Racing,’ who won multiple NHRA championships, and Sabine Schmitz, who dominated the most challenging racing circuit in the world, the Nürburgring, also winning the 24 Hours of Nürburgring twice in 1996 and 1997. The list goes on, with many successful female racing drivers in different disciplines who have enjoyed their share of motor racing glory.
In a recent interview with Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 World champion, he said, and I quote, ‘I think I’ve raced against one female in my racing career in 26 years. And so, that needs to change.’ The established fact is that a decent number of women compete in motorsport around the world, and there are even successful ones. However, that number drastically reduces in bigger competitions and events, eventually reaching zero when it comes to Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport in the world. I believe I have the answers to what Lewis said in that statement.
Formula 1 is undoubtedly the biggest racing competition in the world, and it’s not the biggest for no reason. It has countless fans around the world, prestigious manufacturers that build some of the fastest race cars globally, which battle it out in over 23 locations across the globe throughout the year. This competition boasts the fastest drivers from different nationalities who have been racing all their lives. Formula 1 generates the highest revenue in all of motorsports. To secure a drive in Formula 1 is probably one of the hardest things to achieve as a racing driver because there are currently only twenty seats occupied by drivers who have proven through their talent, experience, and consistent results throughout their careers.
To increase your chances of making it into Formula 1, a common path involves starting karting at a young age, often around 7 years old, and continuing until around 15. Win multiple races and championships during this time, and then progress to open-wheel racing series, starting from Formula 4 and working your way up to Formula 2. Securing sponsorship from a driver academy can significantly aid your motorsport career by providing financial support, training, and a racing car. These programs can cover various expenses, including travel, food, shelter, and more. During your junior formula days, you must perform exceptionally by winning races to be eligible for an FIA super license. This license has several requirements, including holding an International Grade A license, passing an FIA theory test, and accumulating at least 40 points in the previous 3 years in any racing series certified by the FIA.
Once you secure a Formula 1 seat, there’s no time to relax because you still have to impress and show results. If you currently follow Formula 1, Nyck De Vries, a former Alpha Tauri driver, demonstrated that he deserved a seat in Formula 1 after scoring points for Williams while temporarily replacing Alex Albon at the Italian Grand Prix in 2022. He was signed by Scuderia Alpha Tauri for the 2023 season. However, his performance failed to meet expectations, leading to his dismissal halfway through the season.
The competitiveness of the sport and the challenging entry requirements are why I believe there are currently no female Formula 1 drivers. I don’t agree with those who claim we need to have a woman F1 driver, as it isn’t a gender issue but rather the nature of the sport that demands the best of the best. Do I want to see a female F1 driver soon? Yes, but she needs to demonstrate why she deserves to be there, not simply because she is female.
