Fuel the Dream: The Rise of Female Talent in Karting

Karting is the grassroots of motorsport. The foundation where the majority of F1 champions first find their speed, and young drivers begin to carve their paths towards the pinnacle of racing. But beyond launching professional careers, it is an exciting and reasonably accessible way for anyone to try the thrill of racing, regardless of age or gender. 

Motorsport has long been a male-dominated, not because women lacked ability, but because they lacked opportunity. As the proving ground for future talent, karting is becoming increasingly inclusive through outreach programmes and scholarships aimed at supporting the next generation of female drivers. For girls looking to get behind the wheel, the dynamic is changing for the better here on the karting grid. 

Why is the increase of female participation in karting important? 

Photo Credits: Motorsport UK

According to a study by More than Equal, an organisation which has a clear focus to find the first female Formula 1 world champion, karting accounts for 40% of all female participation. However, female drivers only account for 13% of karting competitors. This clear disparity starts young and worsens over time, as fewer girls continue with the sport due to a lack of role models, social barriers and limited support. This does not reflect the potential women have in racing!

Maria Teresa de Filippis became the first woman to race in Formula 1 in 1948. In 1975, Lella Lombardi became the first woman to score official F1 championship points.

Following this, Britain’s Susie Wolff became the first woman to take part in Formula 1 in 22 years! Susie drove an official practice session for Williams Racing in 2014. 

Photo Credits: Mark Thompson/ Getty Images 

This year, ABB FIA Formula E has made significant  strides in promoting inclusion in motorsport, particularly by creating opportunities for female drivers on track. A key example is the Women’s Test, where each team was required to provide at least one female driver with half a day of testing. Abbi Pulling topped the timing sheets for the Nissan Formula E team and has since signed a multi-year deal with the team as a rookie and simulator driver. Abbi also returned to the FE grid for the Berlin Rookie Test, joined by Ella Lloyd, Jamie Chadwick and Bianca Bustamante - who has recently signed with Cupra Kiko as their official Development Driver. Formula E has been demonstrating real impactful progress, proving that women do belong on the track. 

Inspiring initiatives such as FIA Girls On Track and F1 Academy: Discover Your Drive aim to promote female participation in motorsport both on and off track. From organising races to funding racing scholarships, the goal is to promote young women to explore a future in motorsport. 

How can you get involved? 

The best way to begin is to just give it a go. Head to your nearest karting track and book a beginner session. These usually include all the equipment you need for your first time on track and are a brilliant way to get used to the feel of a kart. 

At first, it might feel a bit intimidating, but don’t worry everyone starts somewhere - every world champions had a first lap.

Photo credits: F1 Academy Limited 

If you enjoy your first session and want to do more, start looking at local karting tracks that offer regular events or training programmes. Many circuits are part of national motorsport associations—such as Motorsport UK—that run official karting leagues and clubs for all ages.

Some tracks may also offer junior academies or beginner courses that teach basic driving techniques, racing lines, braking zones and even flag signals. These are great stepping stones into competitive karting.

The best way to understand your options is to attend a club meet at your nearest circuit and find out what would be the best for you.

Visibility and inspiration

One of the biggest barriers for girls in motorsport isn’t ability—it’s visibility. But that’s changing too. Thanks to initiatives like F1 Academy, FIA Girls on Track, Shift Up Now, More than Equal… the list goes on, more girls are being encouraged to race, and more women are rising through the ranks. 

Here are some drivers who are setting an example:

• Maya Weug - the first female racing driver in the Ferrari Driver Academy, currently competing in F1 Academy. 

• Jamie Chadwick - three times W Series champion who has raced in everything from Formula E tests to ELMS victories. 

• Lia Block - crowned the youngest American Rally Association Champion at just 17, now joining the F1 Academy grid for her second season this year. 

When you can see it, you can believe it. 

Here are some helpful links to get you started: 

F1 Academy in partnership with More than Equal, released a Driver Development Guide which reveals everything there is to know about what it takes to make it to the top of motorsport: 

https://www.f1academy.com/latest/oopmXRq6TdWMHlrsYTTGN/driver-development-guide

If you are based in the UK, keep a look out for Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy half-term track days: 

https://www.motorsportuk.org/about-us/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/initiatives/girls-karting-academy/

The track doesn’t care about your gender. It doesn’t care where you’re from. It only cares about your passion, talent and speed. With more girls racing than ever before, the future of motorsport looks fast and exciting.

So what are you waiting for?

See it. Be it.