In honour of International Women Drivers' Day on June 24, Women's World Vehicle of the Year highlights the contribution that women make to the racing industry. According to a poll conducted by Belgian analyst Candice Bouzendorff, 17.9% of participants don't know any female race car drivers, and 28.5% support gender-specific categories. In addition, the study discovered that 29.6% of individuals surveyed had no idea if women work in racing.

Bouzendorff, a fan of racing, questioned why there weren't enough women in Formula 1 and why other competitions, like the W Series, had divisions by gender. The poll found that 71.2% of respondents said gender distinction made it easier for female drivers to compete in races like Formula 1.

When asked why men and women should race separately, respondents gave a variety of answers with varying opinions on the abilities of women to even compete in motorsports. One respondent said, “Except on rare occasions, a woman is no good as a driver," while another stated, "There is a lack of interest from women in this sport." Other answers included the need to separate genders because “bodies are different" or that "it's a question of virility” and "F1 requires incredible strength, and women and men cannot have the same physical level at 100%."

Emilio de Villota, a former Formula 1 driver, is convinced women have a place in the sport, saying, “It won't be long before we see a female driver in F1. He explained that nowadays, a professional driver has to be an elite athlete. It is no longer enough to be slim and exercise regularly. Today, motor racing is very demanding physically, nutritionally, and psychologically. During a Grand Prix, there is a lot of wear and tear. A driver can lose up to three kilogrammes in weight."

Rianne Bergman. Photo by Mirjam Burggraaff

Women are increasingly participating in motorsport, and many of them are already successful. Teresa de Filippis (1926-2016), the first woman to compete in Formula 1, Lella Lombardi (1941-1992), the most successful female driver in the history of the top division, Desiré Wilson (1953-), who is credited with being the first to stand atop the F1 podium, Michelle Mouton (1951-), who has four victories and nine podium finishes in the World Rally Championship, and Jutta Kleinschmidt, the Dakar winner, are all mentioned.

There’s also María de Villota (1979-2013), who died in a tragic accident. Bernie Ecclestone was skeptical when she asked him for a test in 2011. The F1 boss's response was "I don't think you'll be able to cope with a 300 km test in a Formula 1 car and achieve times that measure up." She replied, "The stopwatch is the one that dictates judgment." Maria took the test, passed, and soon joined the Marussia team.

In addition, 82.1% of respondents preferred that women have their own championships. Others claimed that doing so would improve their chances of being promoted to higher categories and provide them access to additional tournaments. Also, respondents claimed that it would increase their media presence and assist to more effectively showcase their abilities.

Those who thought men and women should compete in the same races together also existed. They stated that talent knows no gender and that neither men nor women should do better than each other. They said that a woman is just as capable as a man and that only one race would validate their participation in motorsport. One respondent said, "The cars and conditions are the same, and women can drive as well as men.”

Rianne Bergman. Photo by Sebastiaan Doyer

The Women's World Vehicle of the Year hopes to increase the number of female racers by promoting their involvement in racing through this study. The ideal time to highlight this poll is on International Women Drivers' Day, a day that upholds mobility as an unalienable right that supports women's independence, dignity, and personal and professional advancement. For millions of women throughout the world, driving opens the door to independence, enabling them to follow their passion for motorsports, seek a brighter future, and attain more equitable living circumstances.

The day that the Saudi Arabian government repealed the prohibition on women driving is also recognised as World Women Drivers' Day. On that day, women acquired independence and mobility by learning to love driving. They raised society's awareness of the possibilities for the more than 50% of people who were previously prohibited from driving by becoming more visible.

Today, women influence more than 80% of car purchases in advanced countries. This number will continue or grow in the coming years. “The percentage of young women university students is already higher in developed countries. Salary parity is beginning to be an achievable goal, Boards of Directors are no longer exclusively male, and in the lists of the richest people in the world it is not unusual to see more and more women's names," says Marta García, executive president of WWCOTY.

On World Women Drivers Day, it is also highlighted how important it is for women to share their thoughts and experiences with vehicles on social media. Globally, there are 48.4% more women on Instagram, 43.7% more on Facebook, 43.7% more on LinkedIn, and 57% more on TikTok. For women, it's not only about performance and safety; they also care about protecting the environment without sacrificing their ability to go whenever and wherever they like.

Consideration is warranted on World Women's Drivers' Day. Many female drivers still experience scrutiny from their husbands, drive just the second family car, or receive minimal support from the racing community. Thus, it is more crucial than ever to observe International Women Drivers' Day, a campaign supported by Women's World Car of the Year. Only with the participation of women is a future of sustainable mobility and equality feasible.

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