{"id":4895,"date":"2023-01-20T21:46:40","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T21:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/stalled-on-the-grid-why-are-there-no-female-drivers-at-the-top-of-motorsport\/"},"modified":"2023-01-20T21:46:41","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T21:46:41","slug":"stalled-on-the-grid-why-are-there-no-female-drivers-at-the-top-of-motorsport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/stalled-on-the-grid-why-are-there-no-female-drivers-at-the-top-of-motorsport\/","title":{"rendered":"Stalled on the grid &#8211; why are there no female drivers at the top of motorsport?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1\">\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media story-body__media--lead\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$video-1\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$video-1.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$video-1.0.0\"><noscript data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$video-1.0.0.1\"\/><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--video\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$video-1.1\">There will be female drivers in F1 &#8211; Gatting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p role=\"introduction\" class=\"qa-introduction gel-pica-bold\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-2\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-2.0\">&#8220;There were specific moments I really needed to get my knuckles out and do things a female probably wouldn&#8217;t normally do. I had to fight to get respect.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3\">\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3.0\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3.0.0\">Michelle Gatting is sitting in a hot pre-race briefing room in Portugal before a sports car race in which she will win her class.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4.0\">The Dane is reflecting on her early days in motorsport, when she didn&#8217;t have the recognition she does today, and the reasons why.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5.0\">And when she says &#8220;fight&#8221;, she means literally.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-6\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-6.0\">&#8220;My dad taught me you need to pay them back,&#8221; she says, as she recalls an incident with a Swedish driver who kept pushing her off the go-karting track.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7.0\">&#8220;In the end, I had to find this guy. Since then, he realised. But I thought: &#8216;I cannot keep doing this.&#8217; The talk in the paddock is: &#8216;She&#8217;s crazy, fighting these people.&#8217;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-8\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-8.0\">&#8220;I was probably one of the most feared drivers in the paddock because people were afraid of me, but they didn&#8217;t push me off track. This is how I basically gained the respect.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10.0\">Gatting, 29, is talking about the sexism she experienced when trying to make her way in motorsport in the late 2000s. She would regularly beat drivers of the calibre of Kevin Magnussen &#8211; now in Formula 1 with Haas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-11\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-11.0\">Gatting is competing in a male-dominated sport which appears still not fully compliant with the growing presence of women in the paddock at circuits across the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-12\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-12.0\">&#8220;We had an episode not long ago at a race in Barcelona,&#8221; she says. &#8220;Fighting [on track] for half an hour. We are not in same category&#8230; a driver who would lose nothing by letting me past.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-13\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-13.0\">&#8220;They see our sister car behind them and let the guys past. As soon as they see my pink car again, they start to defend. It was pure ego.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-14\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-14.0\">&#8220;In the end, I pass and end up driving away. It hurt his ego. You could hear it screaming out of his helmet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-15\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-15.0\">&#8220;But it happens very little. And to see how far we&#8217;ve come with the project &#8211; walking around the paddock, we are well respected as Iron Dames.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-16\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-16.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-16.0.0\"><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--image\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-16.1\">Iron Dames are an all-female team in sports car racing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"story-body__crosshead\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$crosshead-17\">The challenges facing female drivers<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-18\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-18.0\">Gatting is part of the all-female Iron Dames team, who have competed in the World Endurance Championship &#8211; including the famous Le Mans 24 Hours race &#8211; since 2018, making a significant impact on the sport.  <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-19\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-19.0\">The day after our interview, Gatting won the 4 Hours of Portimao in their Ferrari 488 GT &#8211; alongside Belgium&#8217;s Sarah Bovy and 19-year-old French sensation Doriane Pin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.0\">In a treacherous wet-dry race, Pin took the car from the pits on slick tyres and drove a faultless stint, keeping pace even as rain came and went. The experienced Gatting brought the car home to the delight of the team.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-21\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-21.0\">Born out of the Italian Iron Lynx project, the Dames have taken pole positions and class victories as an all-female driver line-up with the support of investment from joint boss Deborah Mayer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-22\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-22.0\">That &#8211; along with Britain&#8217;s Jamie Chadwick earning a drive in the United States this year after winning the female-only W Series for a third time &#8211; means things appear to be looking up for female participation in motorsport.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-23\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-23.0\">But there are still no female drivers performing at the very top of the sport, and it is nearly 50 years since Lella Lombardi last contested a Formula 1 grand prix.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-24\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-24.0\">Perhaps even more surprising is the fact there are no women in the climate-conscious Formula E, or older more established championships such as the World Rally Championship and the elite class of endurance racing &#8211; which race at Le Mans &#8211; hypercars.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-25\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-25.0\">After setting up the Iron Dames, Mayer herself stepped further into the issue last year, becoming president of the Commission for Women in Motorsport &#8211; run by the sport&#8217;s world governing body, the FIA.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-26\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-26.0\">&#8220;I think first thing is to enlarge the base of the pyramid &#8211; we need to grow the vocation of younger ones,&#8221; Mayer says. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-27\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-27.0\">&#8220;I&#8217;m sure more women will get into the top categories in motorsport, whether hypercar or single-seaters. But to do so we need to create the structure which will allow them to shine and to grow.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-28\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-28.0\">&#8220;I think the flow will come naturally &#8211; what is important is to show women that there are possibilities in motorsport.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-29\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-29.0\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a long-term process. It will take time, but it will come.&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-30\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-30.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-30.0.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/7567\/production\/_128355003_jamiechadwick.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/7567\/production\/_128355003_jamiechadwick.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/7567\/production\/_128355003_jamiechadwick.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/7567\/production\/_128355003_jamiechadwick.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/7567\/production\/_128355003_jamiechadwick.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Jamie Chadwick\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-30.0.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--image\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-30.1\">Jamie Chadwick says the physical issue in lower formulae needs to be addressed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"story-body__crosshead\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$crosshead-31\">Is there a physical issue?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-32\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-32.0\">Mayer was speaking at an event in London intended to increase awareness of female participation in motorsport and motorcycling. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-33\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-33.0\">Like horse racing and sailing, motorsport has long been perceived as one of the few sports in which there is a level playing field for men and women to compete. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-34\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-34.0\">However, there are questions within motorsport around whether there are physical barriers, as voiced by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/formula1\/62666712\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-34.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-34.$link-2.0\">top management in Formula 1 in recent times.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-35\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-35.0\">Chadwick feels it&#8217;s something that should be looked at. The 24-year-old is preparing to race in the American Indy NXT series &#8211; a feeder category for IndyCars. She will compete against men in faster cars than the W Series, and which &#8211; along with Formula 2 &#8211; do not have power steering, despite the fact those in F1 do.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-36\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-36.0\">&#8220;It&#8217;s definitely a physical sport, and in F1 a lot of the car is completely adapted to the driver,&#8221; she says. &#8220;The power-steering consideration &#8211; everything revolved around a driver, male or female. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-37\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-37.0\">&#8220;In a standard spec series, such as F2 or F3, everything else has been designed around the average male driver, and doesn&#8217;t have power steering.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-38\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-38.0\">&#8220;I believe it is possible for women to compete in any championship, however the level of physicality required to get to is very high. So if you&#8217;re a 16 or 17-year-old girl developing later than your male counterparts, I don&#8217;t understand how you can be expected to be on the same physical level as some of the younger guys.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-39\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-39.0\">&#8220;With that, there can be considerations made to see if we can make it less physical in F2 or F3 for example. If you&#8217;re looking at a pyramid and the highest level is less physical than the steps below then we can see if we can improve that.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-40\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-40.0\">&#8220;Even the challenge I have in Indy NXT is going to be pretty significant. As a 24-year-old woman later on in my development, I feel confident I can get strong enough, but no way I would have been strong enough three or four years ago.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-41\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-41.0\">Mayer agrees certain things have to be looked at, and she is only one year into a tenure which she sees as a real project of &#8220;passion&#8221;.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-42\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-42.0\">&#8220;There are many fields which of course could be adapted or addressed,&#8221; she says. &#8220;It&#8217;s a long-term process. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-43\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-43.0\">&#8220;When you try to introduce modification and changes, it cannot happen all of a sudden &#8211; it&#8217;s a step-by-step process.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-44\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-44.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-44.0.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/111A7\/production\/_128355007_deborahmayer.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/111A7\/production\/_128355007_deborahmayer.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/111A7\/production\/_128355007_deborahmayer.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/111A7\/production\/_128355007_deborahmayer.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/111A7\/production\/_128355007_deborahmayer.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Deborah Mayer\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-44.0.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--image\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-44.1\">Mayer owns the Iron Dames team and is the president of the FIA&#8217;s Commission for Women in Motorsport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"story-body__crosshead\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$crosshead-45\">The Mayer factor<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-46\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-46.0\">The FIA is aware of the problem around diversity, thanks in part to seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton frequently talking about it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-47\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-47.0\">The governing body&#8217;s Girls on Track and Rising Stars campaigns are making an impact, with Ferrari taking women from them into its driver development programme. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-48\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-48.0\">F1 teams have also introduced female &#8216;development driver&#8217; roles &#8211; but it&#8217;s something Gatting sees more as tokenism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-49\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-49.0\">&#8220;F1 specifically need to open up about the idea that they can have a female there competing on a good level, because they have tried getting girls in F1 as marketing tools and as a &#8216;test driver&#8217;, but at the end of the day it didn&#8217;t do much,&#8221; she says. &#8220;But it was good for pictures to have a female next to two F1 drivers.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-50\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-50.0\">Chadwick defends the roles, saying <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/formula1\/64322318\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-50.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-50.$link-2.0\">hers at Williams<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-50.3\"> has taught her invaluable lessons and given her the required visibility to raise her profile. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-51\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-51.0\">F1 as a whole says it is &#8220;improving the system&#8221; to promote equality, and has a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/formula1\/63675446\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-51.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-51.$link-2.0\">female-only &#8216;F1 Academy&#8217; starting in the spring.<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-51.3\"> That will involve 15 drivers from five teams competing across 21 rounds, with F1 providing a \u00a32m annual investment in the series.   <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-52.0\">And Mayer&#8217;s appointment at the FIA, aligned with her investment in a team which is breaking down barriers for female participation the sport, is a big one of her &#8220;steps&#8221;. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-53\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-53.0\">She has the power to effect substantial change &#8211; not only administratively, but on the ground too: her Iron Lynx project will run a Lamborghini in endurance racing&#8217;s elite hypercar class in 2024, across a the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/motorsport\/63527699\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-53.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-53.$link-2.0\">World Endurance Championship season<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-53.3\"> &#8211; which includes the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours race &#8211; just as several of the world&#8217;s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/motorsport\/63438896\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-53.$link-5\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-53.$link-5.0\">biggest car manufacturers return to endurance racing.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-54\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-54.0\">For Gatting, things have become gradually easier in the sport she loves as the level of respect afforded to her increases.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-55\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-55.0\">Things could, however, become historic. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-56\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-56.0\">It would be hard for Mayer not to run female drivers who have made such an impact on motorsport in a new top-level car in 2024. Will this be Gatting&#8217;s big chance to make her mark?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-57\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-57.0\">&#8220;I hope so,&#8221; she says. &#8220;There has been barriers &#8211; including sponsors just not being able to get their heads around me driving a car &#8211; and they&#8217;re still there, but they&#8217;re getting smaller. There are females out there who can go all way to F1.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-58\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-58.0\">&#8220;If you asked four years ago, I would not realise how far we came in such a short amount of time. We want to inspire and try to encourage more young women to get into the sport. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-59\"><span data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-59.0\">&#8220;In the Iron Dames, all of us have been through ups and downs as athletes. It&#8217;s not easy getting here.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media gs-u-mb-alt+ qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-60\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:11.875%;\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-60.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/17F0D\/production\/_127816089_sounds_header_grey_8-1x.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/17F0D\/production\/_127816089_sounds_header_grey_8-1x.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/17F0D\/production\/_127816089_sounds_header_grey_8-1x.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/17F0D\/production\/_127816089_sounds_header_grey_8-1x.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/17F0D\/production\/_127816089_sounds_header_grey_8-1x.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Listen on Sounds banner\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-60.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media gs-u-mb-alt+ qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-62\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:1.9791666666666665%;\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-62.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/2365\/production\/_127816090_sounds_footer-1920x38-1x.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/2365\/production\/_127816090_sounds_footer-1920x38-1x.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/2365\/production\/_127816090_sounds_footer-1920x38-1x.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/2365\/production\/_127816090_sounds_footer-1920x38-1x.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/2365\/production\/_127816090_sounds_footer-1920x38-1x.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Listen on Sounds footer\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".1pj11mv1wsw.0.0.0.1.$image-62.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/motorsport\/64338226?at_medium=RSS&#038;at_campaign=KARANGA\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There will be female drivers in F1 &#8211; Gatting &#8220;There were specific moments I really needed to get my knuckles out and do things a female probably wouldn&#8217;t normally do. I had to fight to get respect.&#8221; Michelle Gatting is sitting in a hot pre-race briefing room in Portugal before a sports car race in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4896,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4895"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4895"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4895\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4897,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4895\/revisions\/4897"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4895"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4895"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4895"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}