Women in Formula 1: Past and Present

Women in Formula 1: Past and Present

From de Filippis to today’s strategists, explore women’s breakthroughs and barriers in Formula 1—pioneers, near-misses, W Series, F1 Academy, and what’s next.

If Formula 1 is motorsport’s Mount Everest, women have been quietly climbing its most sheer faces for seven decades—sometimes summiting milestones, often battling weather no one else had to. From the trailblazers of the 1950s to the engineers and strategists deciding world titles today, the story of women in F1 is richer, more complex, and much closer to a breakthrough than many realize.

The Pioneers: When Getting to the Grid Was the Victory

• Maria Teresa de Filippis (1958–59): The first woman to race in a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Piloting a Maserati 250F, she qualified for three races and shattered the sport’s first barrier with little more than raw courage and a stubborn refusal to let anyone else decide her speed. She reportedly faced officials who told her “the only helmet a woman should wear is at the hairdresser’s”—and raced anyway.
• Lella Lombardi (1974–76): Still the only woman to score F1 World Championship points, Lombardi grabbed a famous half-point at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, a race halted early after a major crash. Don’t let the “half” fool you: that point was a mountain moved.
• Divina Galica, Desiré Wilson, Giovanna Amati (1970s–1990s): Galica and Amati attempted to qualify in eras of brutal competition; Wilson never made a world championship grid but did win a race in the British Formula One series in 1980—proof she had the pace in top-flight machinery.

These women were outnumbered, underfunded, and often unwelcome. The fact they got near an F1 grid, let alone onto one, remains a staggering achievement.

The Nearly-There Generation: Testing, Sim Work, and the Long Road

• Susie Wolff (2014–15): As Williams development driver, Wolff ran multiple FP1 sessions, the first woman to take part in an official F1 weekend in over two decades. She proved a modern car was no barrier—just the opportunities were.
• Simona De Silvestro (2014): Touted as an “affiliated driver” at Sauber with a plan toward a super licence that ultimately didn’t materialize. The pace was real; the funding wasn’t.
• Carmen Jordá (2015–16): A development driver at Lotus/Renault, her role sparked debate about pathways and merit—an example of the harsh spotlight women face in F1, whatever their position.
• Tatiana Calderón (2018–19, 2022): Test driver for Sauber/Alfa Romeo; later raced in Formula 2. She logged valuable F1 mileage and showed how hard it is to convert proximity to the top into a permanent seat.
• Jessica Hawkins (2023): Aston Martin driver ambassador and former W Series racer who tested the AMR21, becoming one of the few women in recent years to sample contemporary F1 machinery.

Junior-Ladder Catalysts: W Series and F1 Academy

• W Series (2019–2022): Free-to-enter and designed to remove the biggest barrier—money. Jamie Chadwick dominated with three titles, sharpening her racecraft before moving to Indy NXT in the U.S. (where she has continued to collect milestones, underlining her top-tier talent). W Series’ financial collapse in 2022 exposed how fragile funding is in the women’s ladder—exactly the problem it set out to fix.
• F1 Academy (launched 2023): Formed to create a sustainable, structured pathway. By 2024 it was fully integrated on F1 weekends; every team backed a driver and livery, and Susie Wolff became Managing Director. Marta García won the inaugural 2023 title, graduating to mixed series thereafter—precisely the intended pipeline effect.

Rising talents to know (as of 2024):

• Jamie Chadwick: Three-time W Series champion; moved to Indy NXT, adding high-horsepower, high-downforce experience to her toolbox.
• Sophia Flörsch: Returned to FIA F3 in 2023 and became the first woman to score points in that championship era (P7 at Spa). Tough, fast, and relentless.
• Abbi Pulling: Alpine affiliate and front-runner in F1 Academy; has tested F1 machinery as part of manufacturer programs.
• Maya Weug: The Ferrari Driver Academy’s first female member, climbing through FRECA and FIA F3—important symbolic and practical progress.

The Present You Might Miss on Sundays: Women Who Decide Races

You might not always see them, but you feel their impact on every lap.

• Strategy and Race Ops:
  • Hannah Schmitz (Red Bull): Principal strategy engineer whose cool-headed calls have become modern legend.
  • Bernadette “Bernie” Collins (formerly Aston Martin): From pit wall strategist to top TV analyst, translating the sport’s black magic to fans.
  • Ruth Buscombe (ex-Sauber/Haas, later Ferrari customer teams): A respected voice on strategy and performance.
• Leadership:
  • Monisha Kaltenborn (Sauber CEO/Team Principal 2010–2017): The first woman to lead an F1 team.
  • Claire Williams (Deputy Team Principal, 2013–2020): Oversaw a proud independent through a turbulent era.
  • Susie Wolff (F1 Academy MD): Now building the pipeline she once had to navigate largely alone.
• On the ground: From performance coaches like Angela Cullen to mechanics, performance engineers, and garage crew members, women are part of the traveling circus’s daily heartbeat.
• In the booth: Naomi Schiff, Bernie Collins, Natalie Pinkham, Rosanna Tennant, and others are shaping how modern F1 is told—vital for representation and for opening doors.

Myth-Busting: Can Women Handle F1 Cars?

Short answer: yes.

• Physical demands: Peak loads in F1 are huge, but training can and does meet the demand. The sport already tailors programs to each driver’s physiology. There is no inherent biological barrier that rules women out of the cockpit.
• Size and ergonomics: Modern cars accommodate a wide range of body types. Since 2019, F1 has a minimum “driver plus seat” weight, which actually helps lighter drivers by allowing optimal ballast placement.
• The real hurdle: mileage and money. Super Licence points require results in F3/F2 or equivalent, and that demands seat time, testing, and budget—resources that have historically skewed toward male drivers.

What’s Actually Changing

• Earlier starts, better funding: Programs like FIA Girls on Track, Ferrari’s “Rising Stars,” and Alpine’s RAC(H)ER are identifying talent younger and supporting it longer.
• Real track time: Manufacturer-backed tests (Aston Martin, Alpine and others) are giving women data, confidence, and the credibility they need.
• Anchoring on F1 weekends: F1 Academy running alongside Grands Prix puts the right scouts, sponsors, and fans in the same place at the same time. That matters.
• Cultural shift: Teams now talk openly about widening the talent pool as a competitive advantage, not a charitable cause. That’s when change sticks.

How a Woman Reaches the F1 Grid from Here

• Win in mixed fields: F1 teams value performance against the deepest possible talent pool. Strong results in FIA F3, FRECA, Super Formula, or Indy NXT send the right signal.
• Bank Super Licence points: Consistent podiums matter more than social buzz. The 40-point target is the north star.
• Test, test, test: Private and young-driver tests in F1 machinery or high-fidelity simulators are invaluable. They shrink the “unknowns” that make teams nervous.
• Build a manufacturer relationship: Factory pathways are the shortest route to an F1 Friday, then a reserve seat, then a drive.
• Make the jump early: The sooner a driver adapts to higher downforce and tire management, the better their ceiling looks to team principals.

Timeline Talk: So When?

Crystal balls are dangerous in F1, but the ingredients for the first woman on an F1 grid in the modern era are finally coming together: a deeper pipeline, more serious funding, integrated race weekends, and real test mileage. Whether it’s a standout from F1 Academy graduating into F3/F2 and turning heads, or a driver building a compelling case in Indy NXT or Super Formula, the next realistic window feels measured in seasons, not decades—provided results arrive and sponsors stay the course.

Why This Story Matters (Even If You Only Care About Lap Time)

• Meritocracy isn’t real without access. If half the talent pool doesn’t get a fair shot, the sport leaves performance on the table.
• Diverse teams make better decisions. The strategy room is the sport’s chessboard; more perspectives mean fewer blunders and bolder wins.
• Fresh heroes fuel growth. New faces invite new fans—and new fans bring new energy, sponsors, and circuits.

How Fans Can Help

• Watch and share junior series: Visibility drives sponsorship, which buys seat time.
• Follow the people behind the pit wall: Strategists and engineers are stars too—and role models for future ones.
• Vote with your clicks and wallets: Support brands and teams investing in F1 Academy and junior programs.

FAQs

Can F1 drivers be female?

• Yes. The FIA rules allow women to race in Formula 1, and a few already have. Maria Teresa de Filippis started in 1958–59, and Lella Lombardi scored World Championship points in 1975. More recently, women have tested modern cars or taken part in official sessions—Susie Wolff (FP1 with Williams), Tatiana Calderón (Sauber/Alfa Romeo), and Jessica Hawkins (Aston Martin). Rising talents include Jamie Chadwick, Sophia Flörsch, and Abbi Pulling.
• Why haven’t we seen more? The main hurdles are funding, seat time, and earning the 40 FIA Super Licence points—structural barriers that historically limited access, not ability. Programs like F1 Academy are designed to change that.
• Can women handle the physical demands? Yes. With tailored training and modern cockpit ergonomics, the requirements are achievable. Since 2019, the “driver + seat” minimum weight also mitigates any disadvantage for lighter drivers.
• What does it take to make F1? The same as anyone else: win in mixed fields (F3/F2 or equivalent), secure backing, build manufacturer ties, and accumulate serious test mileage.

Bottom line: Women can race in F1—and the chances of seeing a woman back on the grid are rising.

Has F1 ever had a woman driver?

• Yes. Five women have entered a Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix; two have started races.

Race starters:

• Maria Teresa de Filippis (1958–59) — first woman to start an F1 GP.
• Lella Lombardi (1974–76) — only woman to score World Championship points (0.5 at the 1975 Spanish GP).

Other entrants (attempted to qualify):

• Divina Galica (1976–78)
• Desiré Wilson (1980) — also won a race in the British Formula One series.
• Giovanna Amati (1992)

Recent participation/testing:

• Susie Wolff — FP1 sessions with Williams (2014–15).
• Tatiana Calderón — test driver for Sauber/Alfa Romeo.
• Jessica Hawkins — tested Aston Martin’s AMR21 in 2023.

Bottom line: Women have raced in F1, and more are in the pipeline today.

Are there any female reserve drivers in F1 today?

• Not currently. As of the latest publicly announced 2024 line-ups, no F1 team lists a woman as its official race-weekend reserve driver.

However, women are in the pipeline:

• Jessica Hawkins — Aston Martin driver ambassador; tested the AMR21 in 2023.
• Abbi Pulling and Sophia Flörsch — Alpine Academy drivers.
• Maya Weug — Ferrari Driver Academy.
• Jamie Chadwick — three-time W Series champion; former Williams development driver (now racing in Indy NXT).

Note: Reserve rosters change frequently. Check teams’ official announcements each season for updates.

F1 Academy — what is it?

Overview:

An all-female, FIA F4-spec junior series launched by Formula 1 in 2023 to prepare young women for the mixed-gender ladder (F4 → FRECA/F3 → F2 → F1).

Cars:

Tatuus T-421 (F4) chassis, ~160–180 hp turbocharged engine, Pirelli tyres, paddle-shift sequential gearbox.

Format and calendar:

• Runs on select F1 race weekends.
• 2024 season: seven events, typically two races per round, official practice/qualifying, F1-style paddock access.
• Standard FIA points system (feature races use full points; support races may award reduced points).

Teams and F1 links:

• Operated by established junior teams (e.g., PREMA, ART, MP, Campos, Rodin Carlin).
• Since 2024, each F1 team supports at least one car with its livery, providing funding, coaching, and visibility.

Eligibility/pathway:

• Aimed at teenage/young adult drivers (minimum FIA F4 age, typically 15+), holding the appropriate international licence and medical clearance.
• Graduates move into mixed championships (national F4, FRECA, FIA F3). The series facilitates tests and opportunities with higher-tier teams.

Cost and support:

• F1 Academy subsidizes a significant portion of the budget; drivers still need sponsorship/backing through teams and partners.
• Driver development includes coaching, sim time, fitness, media, and technical training.

Champions and notable alumni:

• 2023 champion: Marta García (earned a funded step up to FRECA for 2024).
• Several drivers are now aligned with F1 team academies.

How to watch:

• Increased live coverage since 2024 via F1 TV and regional broadcasters; full race replays and highlights appear on F1 channels and team platforms.

How to join:

• Route typically starts in karting → national F4 testing.
• Contact participating teams for evaluations; secure licensing, testing mileage, and sponsorship. Keep an eye on official F1 Academy announcements for trials and scholarship programs.

F1 Academy vs W Series:

• F1 Academy uses FIA F4 machinery (earlier step on the ladder) and is run by independent teams with direct F1 integration.
• W Series (2019–2022) used regional-F3-level cars and a centrally run team model.

Bottom line: F1 Academy is an entry-step, F1-backed platform giving young women the budget support, track time, and visibility to advance through the mainstream single-seater ladder.

Women in Formula 1: Leadership Roles

What does “leadership” mean in F1?

It spans team principals and deputies, department heads (strategy, engineering, aero, operations), race and team operations management, as well as executive roles in commercial, legal, HR, communications, and at the FIA and Formula 1 (the commercial rights holder).

Are there or have there been female F1 team principals?

• Yes. Monisha Kaltenborn led Sauber (2012–2017), the first woman to serve as an F1 team principal.
• Claire Williams served as Deputy Team Principal at Williams (2013–2020) and effectively ran the team.

Who are some notable women in F1 leadership and decision-making?

• Hannah Schmitz (Principal Strategy Engineer, Red Bull Racing) — leads race strategy on the pit wall.
• Bernadette “Bernie” Collins — former Head of Race Strategy at Aston Martin; now a widely followed strategy analyst/broadcaster.
• Ruth Buscombe — race strategy leader formerly with Sauber/Alfa Romeo and Haas.
• Susie Wolff — Managing Director of F1 Academy (F1’s all-female junior series).
• Silvia Bellot — FIA steward and race director in junior single-seaters.
• At Formula 1 and promoters, women hold senior commercial and marketing posts (for example, leadership roles around the Las Vegas Grand Prix and F1’s central commercial team).
  Note: Titles and appointments change frequently; check team and FIA sites for the latest.

Are there women on the pit wall?

Yes. Strategists and performance leaders such as Hannah Schmitz and Ruth Buscombe have led live race decisions. You’ll also see female team managers, comms leads, and partner reps trackside.

How common are women in F1 leadership today?

Women are still underrepresented. Public estimates in the early–mid 2020s suggest roughly 10–15% of F1 team staff are women, with a smaller share in senior technical leadership. The trend is improving year-on-year.

What pathways lead to leadership roles?

• Technical track: STEM degree (mechanical/aero/electrical/software), junior roles in motorsport or automotive, graduate schemes, then progression to leads/heads.
• Non-technical track: business, law, finance, HR, partnerships, marketing/communications; motorsport experience plus people and project leadership.
• Crossovers are common (e.g., strategy roles blend engineering, data science, and operations).

Do you have to be an engineer or ex-driver?

No. Many leaders come from operations, commercial, legal, finance, HR, or comms. For technical leadership, an engineering or data background is typical but not strictly required for all senior posts.

What qualifications and skills help most?

• Technical roles: strong STEM fundamentals, data analysis, simulation tools, programming (e.g., Python/Matlab), systems thinking, race ops experience.
• Non-technical roles: stakeholder management, contract/commercial negotiation, budgeting, people leadership, crisis comms, event operations.
• Universals: resilience, decision-making under pressure, clear communication, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.

What barriers do women still face?

Pipeline gaps in STEM, visibility/mentorship, unconscious bias, travel-heavy schedules, and historic lack of role models. These are easing as teams add mentoring, flexible work, and clearer promotion pathways.

What initiatives are growing female leadership in F1?

• FIA Girls on Track and the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission.
• F1 Academy (driver-focused but boosts the wider talent pipeline and visibility).
• Team programs and targets (e.g., inclusive hiring, returnships, mentoring, enhanced parental leave, flexible working).
• University partnerships, internships, and graduate schemes across teams and suppliers.

Are there women in governance and officiating?

Yes. Women regularly serve as FIA stewards and hold leadership in commissions (e.g., FIA Women in Motorsport). Senior women also operate within race organization, promotion, and the commercial rights holder.

How can I break in and progress to leadership?

Build credentials (degree or relevant experience), target internships/grad schemes with F1 teams or suppliers, compete for roles in feeder series, and cultivate mentors. Seek responsibilities that demonstrate decision-making, team leadership, and operational impact.

What does progress look like in the next few years?

Expect steady growth in female department heads and pit-wall leaders, broader representation in commercial and operations C‑suite roles, and deeper pipelines from grassroots programs and university partnerships.

Where can I find up-to-date role holders?

Check official team websites (leadership/people pages), FIA announcements, and Formula 1’s corporate site. Media guides and LinkedIn are also useful to track role changes between seasons.

Last updated: 2024 context. Titles and personnel can change each season; verify with official sources if you need the latest specifics.

Women in Formula 1: Support Roles

What are “support roles” in F1?

All the specialist jobs that make racing possible: human performance/physio, mechanics and technicians, garage crew, strategy and performance engineering, data and software, logistics, hospitality, comms/media, partnerships, and supplier trackside roles.

Are women visible in these roles today?

Yes, increasingly. You’ll see women trackside in strategy, performance, comms, and technical support, and many more in factory-based engineering, operations, and commercial teams.

Who are some recognizable examples?

• Angela Cullen — high‑profile human performance coach/physiotherapist.
• Stephanie Travers — former PETRONAS Trackside Fluid Engineer with Mercedes, a visible example of supplier-side technical support.
• Note: Personnel and titles change frequently; check official team and supplier sites for current roles.

Do support roles include pit-crew and garage work?

Yes. Women serve as mechanics, tyre and systems technicians, and in garage operations. Physical standards are role-specific and achievable with targeted training.

What qualifications help for engineering and data roles?

Degrees in mechanical/aero/electrical/software engineering or data science; experience with simulation tools, Python/Matlab, telemetry analysis, and motorsport projects.

What about human performance and physiotherapy?

Degrees/certifications in physiotherapy, sports science, or strength and conditioning; experience with elite athletes, travel readiness, and strong soft skills.

Are there opportunities beyond the race teams?

Many. Suppliers (fuel/lubricants, tyres, brakes, electronics), series organizers, the FIA, broadcasters, event promoters, and logistics partners hire for trackside and office roles.

Do support roles lead to leadership positions?

Often. Strategy, operations, and technical support roles are common pathways into team leadership and management.

How travel-heavy are these jobs?

Trackside roles involve extensive international travel and long hours on race weeks. Factory roles (R&D, software, finance, marketing) are usually office-based with more predictable schedules.

What barriers remain?

Awareness and access to the pipeline, limited visibility of role models, and demanding travel schedules. Teams are improving mentorship, flexible work, and parental policies.

What initiatives can help?

FIA Girls on Track, team diversity and returnship programs, university partnerships, and internships/graduate schemes across teams and suppliers.

How can I get started?

Build relevant credentials, join student motorsport (Formula Student, racing clubs), pursue internships with teams or suppliers, and gain experience in feeder series. Network via LinkedIn, team events, and Women in Motorsport groups.

Where are jobs posted?

Team and supplier careers pages, Formula 1 and FIA job boards, MotorsportJobs, LinkedIn, and university career portals.

Is prior motorsport experience essential?

It helps, but adjacent experience (automotive, aerospace, elite sport, data/AI, live events) can transfer—especially when paired with motorsport projects or certifications.

Last updated: 2025 context. Verify current personnel and programs via official sources.

Final Lap

The history of women in Formula 1 isn’t a straight-line sprint; it’s a long, technical stint—saving tires, picking moments, waiting for clean air. The pioneers proved it could be done. The current generation is proving it can be done regularly. The next step is inevitable: not a token appearance, but a driver who earns a seat, keeps it, and scores real points on merit.

When that happens—and it will—the headline won’t be “woman in F1.” It’ll be what really matters in this sport: points on Sunday, pressure on the championship, and one more driver the rest of the grid has to find a way to beat.

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