Women and the future of Formula 1

Motor racing is one of the few sports where men and women can – in theory – compete on equal terms. But you wouldn’t think that from looking at almost any race.

Only one in ten drivers in motorsport are women and most compete in karting, the category of racing where professional drivers tend to begin their careers. The last woman to take part in an F1 race was Italy’s Lella Lombardi, and that was 50 years ago.

To increase the pool of female drivers and return women to the top ranks of motor racing, F1 Academy was set up. In our conversation, three F1 Academy drivers – Rachel Robertson, Alba Larsen and Esmee Kosterman – share their experiences of speed, ambition and the sexism they have often faced from boys they have raced against.

“They always tell me ‘Oh it’s not for girls’ and ‘it’s not your sport’ – they make fun of it," says Esmee. “I really love to do this sport, and I don’t care what they think.”

Presenter: James Reynolds
BBC producer: Isabella Bull
Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham
Editors: Arja Haikonen and Harriet Oliver

A Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC World Service Outside Source team.

(Photo: Esmee Kosterman. Credit: F1 Academy Ltd/Parc Ferme)