Latest news with #womeninmotorsport
The Review Geek
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
F1: The Academy Season 1 Review – The next generation of female racers?
Season 1 Episode Guide No Friends On Track The One to Beat No More Mrs. Nice Guy Target On My Back Feel The Heat The Hardest Race Of My Life End of the Road F1: The Academy is Netflix's latest docu-series, taking inspiration from Drive to Survive but instead shining a spotlight on the trailblazing women in motorsport. With Formula 1 such a fiercely competitive environment, F1: The Academy is an intriguing addition, clearly aimed at boosting female interest and participation in racing, with the overall aim being to get women on the starting grid in Formula 1. Fronted by Director Susie Wolff, this seven-part series aims to get more eyeballs on the women at the front of the pack — and what better platform to do that than the world's biggest streaming service. The show follows the 2024 race season's ups and downs, shining a light on various racers and their unique stories. Of the group, the standout is undoubtedly Abbi Pulling, whose performances and on-track composure suggest a bright future in the sport. Other drivers featured are more of a mixed bag, including Bianca Bustamante. She's given a significant amount of screen time across the season, and it's hard to tell whether that's because she makes compelling TV — courtesy of several crashes, missing the grid box by a country mile, and stalling the car — or if it's due to the massive media push surrounding her. With over 1.5 million followers, she certainly has the visibility, but her mid-table finish doesn't quite match the narrative. Despite that, The Academy does a solid job of highlighting actual racing talent, with an important caveat: every driver uses the exact same machinery. Given that Formula 1 performance often comes down to funding and car development, this level playing field helps focus on pure skill — and that's a refreshing change. It's worth tempering your expectations though, because the season is filled with mistakes, wobbles, and mental stumbles — but that's part of the appeal. It's about the process: how these women handle high-pressure environments, setbacks, and expectations. The cars themselves are comparable to Formula 4 in terms of performance, so while the racing is fast, it's not quite F1 levels of intensity. If this show proves anything, it's that the road to Formula 1 is paved with blood, sweat, tears — and more than a few missed opportunities. Each episode focuses on different drivers, weaving in the usual Drive to Survive elements: slow-mo race footage, manufactured rivalries, and high-stakes editing. It's a formula that still works, but the real strength here lies in the behind-the-scenes material. These quieter moments off the track are where the series finds its soul. We learn about the drivers' backgrounds, motivations, and the challenges they've overcome. One episode highlights Bianca Bustamante's relationship with social media — though it noticeably avoids addressing some of the controversy surrounding her, including past dishonesty about being homeless, which feels like a missed opportunity for more transparency. The final episode neatly wraps things up with the last race of the season, offering a satisfying conclusion while teasing the possibility of future seasons to follow. It also answers the big question: which, if any, of these drivers make it to the next stage of their journey? In the end, F1: The Academy is clearly designed as a gateway — a platform to inspire the next generation of female racers and show that motorsport isn't just a man's game. In that respect, it succeeds. While not perfect, it's an important and engaging watch that brings much-needed visibility to a side of the sport too often overlooked.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Lotus gives girls look at motorsport industry opportunities
Getting a racing driver onto the Formula 1 grid takes an army of up to 2,000 people. However, only 10% of these are women. While young girls may perceive motorsport to be male dominated, is the industry on track to become more balanced and show young girls what is possible? With its headquarters in Hethel, near Wymondham in Norfolk, sports car manufacturer Lotus has opened its doors to let a new generation of aspiring motorsport speak with people inside the industry. The company was founded in the early 1950s by engineer Colin Chapman and moved to Norfolk in the 1960s. The two-day event, held by Girls on Track by Motorsport UK, aimed to help girls and women to see the variety of opportunities "regardless of interests, race and gender". Sheena Valentina has worked at Lotus for four years and hails it as an "amazing job". However, she knows the motorsport and automation industries are male-dominated. "We are trying to get to a point where females feel comfortable here. I think we are 100% getting there. "The gender pay gap for the Lotus group is 0.01% now, which is something we can be really proud of." She said the car manufacturer is trying to "push boundaries" and she hopes to see an industry that is equal for everyone. "I was aware that I was the only female in the room a lot of the time."She hopes to show other young girls, including her daughter what is possible. For 11-year-old Harriet, having a dad involved in the industry, meant she "really wanted" to come and tour Lotus. "I like seeing the cars go really fast across the race track," she said. And if she could have a career in motorsport, she said she would want to be behind the wheel, driving one of the race cars. Emily, 11, said she would rather be behind the scenes, working on building the cars. She said: "I think the building of the car is the most important. There wouldn't be racing without the builders."I think it's more likely for males to go into it [the industry] but I think women should be starting to go into it a lot more." Jenny Fletcher, from Motorsport UK, said giving young girls opportunities to open their eyes to how they could be a part of the industry was important. She said: "You have to see it to believe that you can be it. Getting those girls in from a young age to get in and experience the job roles is so crucial." Girls on Track has been running programmes and events for the past 10 years. "It's really about trying to showcase that it's a great industry to work in. There is a job for everybody. We obviously need a big number of STEM roles, engineers and mechanics... there's everything," Ms Fletcher added. "You think about one Formula 1 team and there's two drivers and 1,500 to 2,000 people working behind the scenes to build that car, to get the car and the drivers ready for racing." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
South China Morning Post
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Female supercar fans rev up at rally in the UAE
A group of women with a shared love for supercars gathered in Dubai for a weekend car rally organised by the Arabian Gazelles. The group is the first all-female supercar owners club in the region. Founded eight years ago by Hanan Mazouzi Sobati, the club aims to change perceptions about women in the auto world. Initially, brands were reluctant to support an all-women's car club. Sobati, who has loved cars since childhood, noticed that car events were mainly for men. She felt it was time for women to be recognised.
South China Morning Post
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Arabian Gazelles rev up the UAE with all-female supercar rally
A group of women with a shared love for supercars gathered in Dubai for a weekend car rally organised by the Arabian Gazelles. The group is the first all-female supercar owners club in the region. Founded eight years ago by Hanan Mazouzi Sobati, the club aims to change perceptions about women in the auto world. Initially, brands were reluctant to support an all-women's car club. Sobati, who has loved cars since childhood, noticed that car events were mainly for men. She was often the only woman at these gatherings and felt it was time for women to be recognised. The rally included a four-day tour of the UAE, and participants were invited by BMW to test drive cars on the racetrack. Hanan emphasised that women don't need permission to pursue their passion for driving or to choose the cars they love. They are creating their own opportunities and spaces in the automotive world. Answer: after she noticed that car events were normally male-oriented
Grazia USA
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Grazia USA
Inside The Middle East's First-Ever All-Women Supercar Rally In Dubai
Photo: Instagram @arabiangazelles The Arabian Gazelles aren't just revving engines – they're rewriting the rules of the road. Earlier this month, 20 trailblazing women from around the world came together to launch the Middle East's first-ever all-women supercar rally. Spearheaded by the pioneering collective Arabian Gazelles, the four-day journey was more than a showcase of luxury cars, it was a bold statement of visibility, power, and progress. From the sweeping coastlines of Fujairah to the mountain peaks of Jebel Jais and the golden dunes of Abu Dhabi, the group tore through stereotypes as much as it did tarmac. This wasn't simply about cars; it was about reclaiming space in a world that has long excluded women from the fast lane. The message was loud and clear: the supercar world is no longer a boys' club. The Arabian Gazelles have taken the wheel, asserting that elegance, ambition, and horsepower are not mutually exclusive – and that women belong in motorsport not as outliers, but as leaders. Photo: Instagram @arabiangazelles At the helm of this movement is Hanan Mazouzi Sobati, founder of Arabian Gazelles – the world's first all-female supercar owners' club. What began eight years ago as a bold response to the gender imbalance in car culture has become a global sisterhood fuelled by grit and glamour. 'We're not just behind the wheel,' says Sobati. 'We're leading the change, one powerful mile at a time.' She recalls the early days, attending car events alone, often on behalf of her husband, who wasn't even a car enthusiast. Back then, brands were hesitant to back an all-female initiative. Today, those same names are proudly on board, aligned with a movement that's shifting gears in the region and beyond. The rally launched with an adrenaline-fuelled BMW M Series track session at Dubai Autodrome before heading east along Fujairah's glittering coastline. Day two brought the group to the UAE's highest peak, where they tackled the sharp switchbacks of Jebel Jais. From there, it was on to the dreamlike desert landscape of Qasr Al Sarab in Abu Dhabi before a final glittering celebration at Delano Dubai. 'This is a rally with soul,' said co-organiser Ghita Mejdi, founder of The Kliff Project. 'Every detail was curated to honour the women driving it – trailblazers, storytellers, icons.' From engineers and entrepreneurs to creatives and mothers, the women behind the wheel carried with them a powerful message: inclusion, visibility, and fearless leadership belong in every lane. topics: Middle East, Dubai, ABU DHABI, cars, RALLY, WOMEN, SUPERCAR
