In almost every sport, men’s and women’s branches are separated. The number of sports in which men and women compete together is incredibly rare. Motorsports, which is one of these few fields, is one of the fields where people who meet the conditions can compete together, regardless of their gender.
Why do we not see any female drivers in Formula 1, although on paper there is no obstacle for women to compete in Formula 1 and there is a large female audience? The reason for this is not, as many think, that women are not suitable for this sport.
Let’s take a look at the female racers in history first.
In the history of Formula 1, there are only 5 female drivers who have struggled to participate in races. While only two of these women can qualify to start the race, the number of female pilots who managed to score points is only 1.
We haven’t seen a female driver in Formula 1 for the last 30 years. The unsuccessful attempts in the past are not very convincing considering the low number of attempts and the fact that these female drivers have competed in smaller teams.
So what about other motorsports?
Formula 3 and Formula 2 stand out as championships that have historically featured more female drivers on the grid. Female drivers like Danica Patrick are also known for competing in series like NASCAR. There are many female drivers who have competed in different NASCAR series, and some are still on the grid. A similar situation applies to the INDYCAR series.
In addition to names such as Jutta Kleinschmidt, who won the Dakar Rally, Susie Wolff, who was the head of the Venturi Formula E team and pushed the gates of Formula 1, and Michèle Mouton, who managed to finish the World Rally Championship in 2nd place, many women competed in the two-wheeled series. It is possible to say that.
If women can race too, why don’t they race in Formula 1?
Why can’t talented pilots enter right away while names like Nikita Mazepin have managed to take part in Formula 1, exactly why women can’t compete in Formula 1. The job has little to do with talent or physical capacity, it has to do with money. Let’s explain this situation step by step.
The way to race in Formula 1 is to spend a lot of money. If you had a 4-year-old today and you decided to make him a Formula 1 racer, you would have to sacrifice a few million dollars or find a sponsor to give that few million dollars throughout his career until he entered Formula 1. A female racer named Sophia Flörsch says that the first and biggest obstacle for women is sponsorship.
Women go to small teams because they can’t find sponsors. Because they are in small teams, they do not have access to good cars. Because they can’t access good cars, they can’t achieve outstanding performances. Sponsors do not approach female pilots because they cannot achieve good performances. That’s why female pilots can’t find sponsors. Because women can’t find sponsors… I think you understand the cycle.
Another problem is keeping girls out of cars:
This point is often overlooked, but it is a point that should be emphasized. Until recent years, girls were not often directed to go kart series or other children’s series. In our country, I have witnessed that girls are told “they are for boys” even in the little go-karts in the amusement parks. Perception was no different in the world. Therefore, girls are at a disadvantage when they enter a racing series.
Special series where women compete: W-Series
After women’s difficulties in entering Formula 1, Formula Management started a championship for women called W Series. This series, in which all female pilots are given a car with similar features, is designed to minimize the need for sponsors and pave the way for women. The decision was criticized for separating women and making their transition to Formula 1 more difficult, but the championship continued to be held. The winner of the championship in its first two years was Jamie Chadwick, previously British GT champion.
Despite the fact that Chadwick was the winner in the 2022 season, the season two races were finished early due to the disruption of the support from the sponsors. As the reason for this decision, it was shown that investment will be made for the 2023 season. It seems that the W Series is not yet at the desired point. My personal opinion is that there is not enough promotion for the W Series and Formula E and it is difficult to access these publications. It is possible for me to access the video views on the YouTube channel of the W Series if we go and open a Formula 1 YouTube channel now, the situation is that dire.
Is there low interest in the series in which women compete?
The main reason for this situation is not the lack of interest, but the lack of delivery of the product. Most race fans watch if there’s a race to watch. Accessing the Formula W Series is very difficult and complex. For some regions, there is not even a direct streaming service.
Formula 1’s view of women is also highly controversial.
Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali stated in an interview that it does not seem possible for a female driver to enter Formula 1 in the next five years. Bernie Ecclestone, the former boss of Formula 1, once said, “In Formula 1, they don’t take women drivers seriously, fans don’t care, sponsors don’t invest money”.
The most recent example was Susie Wolff, who was only slightly slower than her teammate Felipe Massa when she tested with the Williams team. Let’s also remind you that Massa was second in 2008 with a margin of 1 point, and that he has been fighting for Ferrari for years. Despite Wolff’s success, names like Red Bull’s Helmut Marko think women can’t afford to compete in Formula 1.
Formula 1 is trying to include more women. Maybe we can see a female driver behind the wheel of one of the Formula 1 cars in the coming years. Female pilots in junior pilot programs show that hope is not completely lost in this regard.
Sources: Flowracers, Hitc, the Washington Post, Financial Express
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