Obsessed with Drive to Survive? We spoke to a female F1 driver to find out why so many women are falling in love with the sport

Luckily for him, I was too small at the time. He wasn’t thrilled with the idea of me going carting. But then we went back a few months later, and they’d moved the height restriction down, much to my dad’s despair. I had a go and absolutely fell in love with it. And I’ve never, ever intended, or it was never supposed to happen, that I’d still be here 20 years later having made or making a career from it.

I’m not quite where I want to be just yet, but I’m very proud of where I have come. And a highlight of my career was obviously signing for Aston Martin Formula One team a couple of years ago. So yeah, it’s been a wild journey.

From an outsider’s perspective, Formula 1 seems to be very male-dominated. What needs to be done to attract more women to the sport? 

We’re seeing a lot more females within the sport than there were when I first started. When I first started, I  could’ve counted on one hand how many women were in the sport. And now there are so many more involved, whether they’re drivers or engineers, mechanics, etc. There’s so many more females within the sport. 

But yes, I think we do need to do more to get the ratio closer to 50/50. But I think we are on that journey. I think a massive driving force behind that has been W Series. They’ve been a huge help to the battles that we’re fighting. Obviously, Aston Martin giving me my role within the sport has given the younger generation a figurehead to look at so they’re aware of motorsport as something for them that they can get involved in. 

I don’t think we’re quite where we need to be yet, but we’re certainly heading in the right direction.

Are there any misconceptions about your industry, particularly as a female stunt driver? 

I don’t think so. Men and women get treated the same. It’s high pressure whether you’re male or female. Yeah, I guess with the stunt driving comes the possible risks, but everything… You’re working with such talented people and working with such thought-out and planned exercises. So, I don’t think there are any misconceptions, really. 

Have you watched Netflix’s Drive to Survive? What do you make of it? 

I have watched it. I think firstly, not only has it increased the female audience, I think it’s increased Formula One’s audience, male and female. I think the viewing figures have grown massively, and everybody – maybe I’m biased – but everyone sees Formula One now as the great sport that it is. And we’ve got way more people, including women, that have fallen in love with it, as I did at a young age.

What advice do you have for women who want to get involved in motor racing?

Well, firstly, you are just as welcome as the men are. This is an industry that is not secluded from women. And it’s a tough journey, but you just got to keep knocking on doors and keep working hard. And some doors close, but other doors will open. And yeah, if it’s what you want to do, then I think that if you work hard, things will come and you just got to keep trying. 

It’s all about relentless trying, and all eventually will become worth it.