Women in Motorsport

Motorsport has traditionally been dominated by men. Only recently have women be given the opportunity to show their ability on the race track. Driving competitive race cars women have now shown that they have equal potential for success.

Indycar racing in the USA has led the way for women drivers. Last year Danica Patrick became the first woman ever to win an indycar race at the Indy Japan 300 at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan. This also made Danica the first female to win a major closed-course race in the United States. Danica was also the first woman to lead a lap at the most famous race in the world - the Indianapolis 500. In 2005 Danica started 4th and finished 4th at the Indianapolis 500 - the highest starting and finishing position for a woman driver in the event's history. She led 19 laps during the race to become the first woman to lead at Indianapolis. As a result Danica has become one of the most recognizable female athletes in the United States, making the covers of publications such as Sports Illustrated, TV Guide and ESPN: The Magazine. This season Danica is again joined in indycars by Sarah Fisher while British driver Pippa Mann competes in the official indycar support series.

It is therefore only a matter of time before a women in Europe breaks into the highest level of European motorsport. More and more girls are entering the sport through kart racing and then continuing into single seater racing.

From a sponsorship perspective women in motorsport provide fresh marketing opportunities including taking motorsport to a younger audience and to marketing female-oriented products to female racing fans.