Fast, fearless, and changing the game: Women in motorsport

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Motorsport has long been seen as a boys’ club, but plenty of women have smashed through the barriers, proving that raw talent, guts, and determination matter way more than gender. From past and present, these rally legends, endurance racers and single-seater superstars have done more than just compete — they’ve made history and inspired the next generation of racers.

Let’s celebrate some of the most badass female drivers ever to hit the track. Whether tearing through gravel, speeding on tarmac, or chasing podium finishes, these women have shown the world that racing isn’t just for the guys.

Danica Patrick – The face of women in American racing

Even if you don’t follow motorsport, you’ve probably heard of Danica Patrick. A trailblazer in American racing, she made history in 2008 by becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar race, taking victory at the Indy Japan 300. She later transitioned to NASCAR, proving she wasn’t afraid of a challenge in one of the toughest racing series in the world.

Patrick remains the only woman to have won an IndyCar race, and she also holds the record for the highest finish by a female driver in both the Indianapolis and the Daytona 500. Her presence in motorsport helped inspire a new generation of female racers, even if her performances in NASCAR were met with mixed results.

Since retiring, Danica has remained a prominent figure in the sport, working as a broadcaster, entrepreneur, and mentor to up-and-coming drivers, continuing to make an impact for women in motorsport.

Susie Wolff – From racer to motorsport leader

Susie Wolff is one of the most recognisable women in motorsport, and for good reason. Starting in karting, the Scottish driver moved up through the ranks, competing in Formula Renault and British F3 before spending several seasons in the ultra-competitive German Touring Car Championship with Mercedes-Benz. In 2012, she joined the Williams Formula 1 team as a development driver, making history in 2014 by becoming the first woman in 22 years to take part in an official F1 session.

Wolff has since become an influential figure in motorsport, taking on the role of Team Principal at Venturi Racing in Formula E and later becoming Managing Director of the all-female F1 Academy series. Her impact on increasing female participation in racing, both on and off the track, makes her a key figure in shaping the future of motorsport.

Vicky Piria – A fighter on the single-seater scene

Italian racer Vittoria “Vicky” Piria has been carving out her place in motorsport since her early karting days. She’s worked her way through the ranks of Formula Renault, Formula Abarth, and EuroF3, taking on the highly competitive world of single-seaters. In 2014, she became one of only three women to compete in the Pro Mazda Championship in the U.S., further proving her willingness to step outside her comfort zone to chase her racing dreams.

After a short break from competition, she returned to action in the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia and has most recently been winning races in the Italian GT Endurance Championship. Whether in open-wheel or sports cars, Piria continues to fight for every opportunity on the track.

Courtney Force – Drag racing’s record-setter

If you’re into drag racing, you’ve definitely heard of the Force family. John Force is one of the most dominant drag racers of all time, and his daughters have followed suit — especially Courtney Force. Competing in NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car racing, she became the first female driver to qualify in the number one position in 2013 and went on to win the event.

A year later, she became the 100th female winner in NHRA history and now holds the record for the most wins by any female driver in NHRA history. With a legacy like that, she’s proof that speed runs in the family.

Leilani Münter – The eco-friendly racer

Leilani Münter is more than just a racing driver — she’s a force of nature. A self-proclaimed vegan hippie chick, Leilani is a biology graduate turned professional racer and environmental activist. After competing in the ARCA Menards Series, a stepping stone to NASCAR, Leilani proved she could handle high-speed, high-pressure racing.

But Münter’s impact extends far beyond the track; she’s a fierce advocate for renewable energy, electric vehicles, plant-based diets, and animal rights, sitting on the board of the Oceanic Preservation Society and working with solar energy non-profit Empowered by Light. Leilani doesn’t just talk about making the world a better place — she actively works towards it.

Carmen Jordá – F1’s high-profile development driver

Carmen Jordá might not be the most well-known racer outside motorsport circles, but she’s played a big role in Formula 1 behind the scenes. Having competed in GP3, Indy Lights, and the Le Mans Series, the Spaniard became a development driver for the Lotus F1 team in 2015 — only the 11th woman ever to be part of an F1 team’s driver lineup.

Carmen’s been an advocate for women in racing, even landing a spot on the FIA’s Women in Motorsport Commission in 2017. And she’s even had a cameo in Cars 3 — not many racers can say that!

Lella Lombardi – The F1 groundbreaker

Lella Lombardi wasn’t just fast — she was a trailblazer. In 1975, she became the only woman to score points in a Formula 1 Grand Prix, proving she had what it took to mix it with the best. In an era when F1 was even more of a men’s club than it is today, Lombardi’s success was nothing short of legendary.

Michèle Mouton – The rally queen

Michèle Mouton didn’t just race in rallying — she dominated. The first (and still only) woman to win a World Rally Championship event, she nearly took the 1982 WRC title, going toe-to-toe with the sport’s biggest names and beating Hannu Mikkola and Stig Blomqvist. Her fearless driving and refusal to back down made her an icon in the world of motorsport.

Jamie Chadwick – Formula 1’s rising star

Three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick is one to watch. She’s got serious skill, and with her sights set on Formula 1, she’s paving the way for more women to break into top-level single-seater racing. She’s already driven the Williams F1 car and has signed to be one of the team’s driver ambassadors for 2025. Jamie has shaken things up, and while it doesn’t look like she’ll get her F1 race chance just yet through the Williams Driver Academy, she’s opening the door for future stars.

Abbie Eaton – The Grand Tour’s speedster

If you’ve watched The Grand Tour, you’ll know Abbie Eaton as the show’s test driver, but she’s way more than just a TV personality. A proper racer with experience in endurance and touring cars, Eaton has spent her career proving she belongs at the sharp end of the grid, most recently winning races behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Huracán and Porsche Carrera in GT racing.

Sophia Flörsch – The comeback queen

Sophia Flörsch’s story is the stuff of motorsport legend. After a terrifying crash at the 2018 Macau Grand Prix that left her with serious injuries, she made an incredible comeback, returning to racing just months later. Since then, she’s been competing in endurance racing and single-seaters and is joining the Indy NXT series in 2025 — America’s second rung on the single-seater motorsport ladder. She’s a perfect example of grit and determination.

Tatiana Calderón – Taking on the big leagues

Tatiana Calderón has raced in everything from Formula 2 to IndyCar, taking on some of the toughest series in motorsport. She’s also tested for Formula 1 teams, driving the Sauber C32 at Ferrari’s own test circuit and getting within three seconds of Michael Schumacher’s lap record, proving she’s got the skill to compete at the very top. Tatiana will be driving a Ford Mustang GT3 in the GT Dayton class of the 2025 IMSA SportsCar Championship, racing alongside Le Mans cars, so keep an eye on her — she’s not done making waves yet.

Simona de Silvestro – Versatility at its best

IndyCar, Formula E, Supercars — Simona de Silvestro has done it all. She’s one of the most versatile female racers out there, constantly adapting to new challenges and proving she belongs in whatever series she races in. She’s finished on the podium in Indycars — the highest level of single-seater racing in the US — and has competed in the Indianapolis 500 six times. If you’re looking for a driver who never backs down, she’s your girl.