Motorsports is one genre of sports that has always been popular worldwide, but specifically in Europe. Over the past few years, various divisions of motorsports have seen a significant increase in popularity throughout North America. Not only have the sports begun to grow, but their fan bases are also increasing in terms of gender diversity. As sports fans are typically viewed as males, the uprising in female sports fans in recent years has taken hold of the community. Motorsports, particularly Formula 1, have increased their female fanbase to nearly equal to that of men. Moreover, the fans aren’t the only group who are increasing in diversity; drivers in all varieties of motorsports are becoming more integrated with women. While large counts of gender imbalance still exist within the sporting community, a widespread force for women entering in all aspects has been taking over.
Often, reasons suggested for the minimal fan base of women in sports are not that women are not interested, but rather that they aren’t encouraged to pursue sports or view them as a possibility. Whether that is being laughed at for being a fan or having no one to look up to when chasing the dreams of an athlete. By creating this fundamental shift in advertising women in sports, more women across the world find a belief, subconscious or not, that they do belong in sports. A narrative shift that describes that sports are not inherently a man’s thing, but are for anyone, is what allows for the change to occur and allows women to participate in whatever they wish to enjoy without barriers.
What is being done?
Following this simple idea will allow for an increased role played by women. While this is the goal for all sports, motorsports is one that shines in this notion. Following their fans, after the release of Drive to Survive on Netflix, Formula 1 has massively increased its popularity. Additionally, this docu-series allows for easy access to the sport and disproves the myth that women wouldn’t watch it. Through this fandom growth, more women have developed a passion for motorsports, leading to increased representation of women in all roles. Currently, there are no female drivers on the Formula 1 grid, but as of the 2025 season, Laura Müller became the first ever full-time female race engineer in history. There are still plenty of roles that are missing for women to play, but Müller is a clear example of a shift within the sport.
Women are capable of playing any role within motorsports, and since 2023, Formula 1 has allowed for an even grander change in the narrative for women. Susie Wolff, who has had a professional career in motorsports for many years and has raced in Formula 1, created an all-girls racing series called F1 Academy. F1 Academy is a feeder series which allows drivers to learn more about the racing world and get more training to work their way up to Formula 1. While women have been included in other feeder series before, such as Formula 2 and 3, they are still not commonly found across motorsports.
This women-only series allows for all women to be seen and advertised, allowing other young talents not to shy away from their passion. F1 Academy allows for the drivers in the series to gain more experience and increase their chances of making it to Formula 1, but also plays a larger role in the entirety of the sporting community. It allows girls to see people who look like them competing on-screen, and this advocates for a change against the stigma that “women don’t belong in sports.” This series helps the athletes to gain an extra step along their journey to Formula 1 and allows women to see themselves in all the roles that are played within a sport.
Women belong in sports, and no matter what ideas are tossed around, women belong where they wish to be. All sports are open to anyone who enjoys, and Formula 1 is taking direct steps into ensuring that it is open for all. Through this goal, they ensure that in time, they will get a woman on the Formula 1 grid as a driver.