The 10 inspiring women in motorsport

In a male-dominated sport, the women who help fuel the motorsport industry, are ones that should be admired. From racing drivers to communication managers, we have found 10 women who play key roles in different motorsport teams.

1. Charlotte Sefton

The communications manager at the McLaren F1 team is no stranger to being seen behind the cameras, protecting the two drivers – Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, from the media.

The familiar face in the paddock is responsible for maintaining the high-quality reputation of the team during race weekends and helps deal with the press, making sure that the drivers act on their best behaviour (well she tries her best to keep them under control!).

The goofy and amusing relationship between herself and Lando that is portrayed on McLarens YouTube page and interviews, has proven to be popular amongst the fans, making her a well-known figure within the sport.

2. Susie Wolff

The team principal of the Venturi Formula E team, Susie Wolff, helped lead them to success, allowing them to win three races and 11 podiums during the 2021 season.

Having started her motorsport career in karting and then progressing through the rankings, she took part in the first practise session in Silverstone for Williams in 2014.

Her husband is the other famous Wolff (Toto – team principal of the Mercedes F1 team) and alongside driving the team to victory, she also juggles her other job as mother to her young son.

3. Sophie Eden

Sophie joined the Williams F1 team in 2011 and is the head of communications. In charge of keeping the team connected, she is a loyal member who plays a vital role in managing the day-to-day communications between the team, drivers, and fans.

Having always had a passion for motorsports, she knew from a young age what she wanted to do and made sure she did everything possible to achieve this. From volunteering at local tracks to creating a PR agency, her determination, dedication, and success is admired.

4. Claire Williams

The legacy that follows Claire with the famous surname ‘Williams’, makes her a familiar face in the world of Formula 1. With her father, Sir Frank Williams, being a revolutionary figure within the sport, she took over as deputy team principal at his team (with her father holding onto the main title) at Williams, in 2013.

Her optimism, dedication and need to succeed reflected on the team alongside her hard-working drivers Nicholas Latifi and George Russell (whose talent landed him as the second Mercedes driver in 2022, partnered with 7x world champion Lewis Hamilton).

Halfway during the 2020 season, Claire withdrew from her title, however her ideologies and passion remains with the team.

5. Natalie Pinkham

The Sky Sports F1 presenter has been covering, reporting, and gracing the sport on our screens since 2012.

Before working for Sky, some may remember listening to her on BBC Radio 5 where she commentated the live F1 coverage and was a familiar face presenting Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Alongside travelling the world, appearing on TV’s during Formula 1 Grand Prix Weekends, and informing us on the latest F1 related news, she is a mother to two children and has recently gotten involved with a campaign in attempts to encourage more women into playing golf.

6. Jessica Hawkins

The British, W Series driver started her driving career karting at the young age of eight. Throughout the years, she progressed and became the British Karting Champion at age 12 and the Honda Cadet British Open Champion in 2008.

Not only is she a talented racer, but she is also a pro stunt driver in major films and holds a world record for driving the ‘world’s fastest lawnmower’.

In May 2021, she became a Driver Ambassador for the Aston Martin F1 team where she works closely with the team and their partners.

7. Angela Cullen

Angela Cullen is a familiar face on the Instagram pages of Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes F1 team.

The performance coach from New Zealand has built up her own social media following where she expresses her love for nature whilst maintaining a healthy, vegan lifestyle.

Being Hamilton’s sidekick, she is no stranger to being spotted on race weekends, taking him to the track, helping him out and just being a friendly face for him during what can be stressful weekends.

8. Sabine Schmitz

The two-time winner of the 24-hour race at Nürburgring and friend of the show Top Gear, was an influential figure in the growth of women in the sport. She competed and won in multiple different races which lead to the opportunities of guest starring on Top Gear in 2004 to then present it in 2016.

The ‘Queen of the Nürburgring Ring’ sadly passed away in March 2021 after nearly a four-year long battle with cancer. She is greatly missed by everyone involved with the sport.

9. Laia Sanz

Laia grew up in Spain, being no stranger to the roaring sound of engines due to her family’s passion for motorbikes. The love she had for the need of speed grew and she eventually made her racing debut at age seven.

Since then, she has won many motorcycle championships and has recently ventured into Extreme E racing, where she is partnered alongside rally legend and father of Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz for the team Acciona | Sainz.

10. Jamie Chadwick

Jamie started her racing career with karting at 11-years-old, where she achieved multiple podiums and wins. Since then, she has won racing scholarships and has been a part of the Aston Martin Racing Driver Evolution Academy. In 2019, she was crowned champion of W series and is once again fighting for the title in 2021.

In 2019, it was announced that she would be the development driver for Williams F1 team where she works with the team at Grand Prix’s and back at their headquarters in Oxfordshire.

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