The return of women to Formula 1: utopia or near future?

In the 21st century, no woman has driven in a Grand Prix. Formula 1The question of the female presence in Formula 1 thus regularly resurfaces, as motorsport becomes more feminine and new generations of drivers emerge. Double F1 world champion Mika Häkkinen is optimistic: " Female pilots will reach the highest level by 2030, whether it's Ella (his daughter, kart driver) or someone else ».

Other voices are more cautious, such as Stefano Domenicali, president of Formula 1. In January 2022, before the launch of the F1 Academy, the F1 boss, on the other hand, considered it unlikely that a woman would be in F1 in the short term. Realistically, unless something exceptional happens, I don't see a woman entering F1 in the next five years., insisted the Italian. It's very unlikely. "This divergence of opinion thus raises a central question: should we give a deadline for the arrival of women in F1?

Equality on the track remains a challenge

In terms of performance, the observation is clear: female pilots are still struggling to match their male counterparts in car. However, motorsport must evolve to meet the demands of the contemporary world. The discipline, like its audience, must become more feminine. This new generation of fans is made up of 40% women, Mika Hakkinen emphasized. This sport must reflect this reality »

Initiatives already exist to encourage young women to progress. The F1 Academy, headed by Susie Wolff, former driver and wife of Toto wolff, is an all-women's championship that runs in support of the F1 rounds. The Scot herself is the last woman to have participated in a Grand Prix weekend in the first free practice with Williams, in 2014 at Silverstone. However, the subject remains controversial. Sophia Floersch is also an open critic of the categories reserved for women. On social networks, she sent a message to Marta García, winner of the F1 Academy in 2023, denouncing the use of young women for " do short-term marketing ». For the German, these initiatives are part of the " Pink Washing ».

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Obstacles in mixed categories

Without disparaging the brilliant drivers who are aiming for Formula 1, even among the most prominent female drivers, the results are still limited. While some, like Jamie Chadwick, Marta García or Dorian Pin, have shone or are shining in the W Series or F1 Academy, they generally plateau when faced with mixed competition. Others, like Sophia Floersch and Tatiana Calderón, have managed to reach the promotional formulas, or even the antechamber of F1 in the case of the Colombian. However, no woman has entered Formula 1 since Maria Teresa de Filippis and Lella Lombardi in the 50s and 70s respectively.

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Endurance, a more favorable terrain

Some women, however, stand out in Endurance. Lilou Wadoux is thus the first woman to win a category victory at Petit Le Mans since Liz Halliday in 2005. Jamie Chadwick also had a remarkable season in 2025 with IDEC Sport, marked by three victories in LMP2 – in Barcelona, ​​Le Castellet and Silverstone. For her part, Doriane Pin also distinguished herself in WEC with Prema Racing in LMP2 from 2023, where it achieved a podium finish at the 1000 Miles Sebring. The previous year, it also won the 24 Hours of Spa – Gold Cup and the 4 Hours of Portimão in ELMS, thus signing an exceptional year in the company of her Iron Dames teammates.

Despite initiatives such as the F1 Academy and the women-only test FE, the latter are still struggling to establish themselves in mixed single-seaters, and certain women's categories are criticized for their exploitation for marketing purposes. The arrival of women in F1 still seems far off and an arrival in 2030 therefore seems very optimistic.

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