Study Reveals Prejudice Hindering Female Progress in Motorsport

Abbi Pulling, an exceptional female driver, stands as one of Britain’s finest.

According to a recent study by More Than Equal, an organization co-founded by former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard, women face significant challenges in advancing to higher levels of motorsport due in part to prejudiced attitudes that impede fundraising efforts.

The study highlights several obstacles, including a lack of female-specific training, limited role models, and mechanical difficulties. Female participation in motorsport currently hovers around 10%, while global data on women’s involvement remains surprisingly absent, as discovered by Alison Donnelly, the organization’s CEO and former Sport England employee.

The study emphasizes that the financial burden of competition is a universal challenge faced by both male and female drivers. However, the crucial difference lies in the reluctance of investors and sponsors to take risks on female drivers early in their careers, thus hindering their progress during pivotal periods.

Donnelly explains that many female drivers expressed their struggles in securing investment, leading to a lack of track time and opportunities to demonstrate their skills. A stark contrast emerges when comparing two drivers, one male and one female, both aged 14, performing equally well and pursuing sponsorships. The male driver is significantly more likely to receive support, as the trajectory into F1 appears clearer for him if he proves his worth. Such opportunities have been scarce for female drivers for an extensive period, resulting in their concerns about insufficient backing and financial risks.

To address this disparity, the study emphasizes the need for motorsport to better articulate the significance of investing in women, elucidating the potential outcomes that await sponsors and brands at the journey’s end.

Donnelly applauds the introduction of the new F1 Academy, established this year to provide crucial track time for young female drivers during their formative stages of development.

The study reveals that while karting, the category where most top drivers begin their careers, accounts for 40% of female participation in motorsport, women and girls constitute only 13% of participants in that category. As drivers progress to formula and GT racing, female representation further drops to 7%. In the top tiers of the sport, the ratio diminishes to a mere 4%.

Negative stereotypes and perceptions regarding women’s ability to drive fast or compete physically pose additional barriers. Women and girls also frequently encounter unwelcoming or inappropriate cultural environments.

Mechanical challenges compound the obstacles, such as the absence of power steering in the categories leading to F1, whereas F1 cars incorporate steering assistance.

As a result of these hurdles, female drivers tend to leave the sport much earlier than their male counterparts. On average, female careers span between one and five years, while male careers often extend beyond a decade.

The study cites Hintsa, a renowned performance group responsible for training roughly half of all F1 drivers, which found no evidence of physical or psychological barriers impeding women’s ascent in motorsport when provided with appropriate support and training. The study stresses the importance of gender-appropriate and age-specific training for women, as current physical and psychological training programs predominantly cater to men.

The study also reveals an emerging, younger female fanbase expressing a desire for direct competition between women and men. However, these fans perceive motorsport as ranking 20th out of 21 sports in terms of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Surprisingly, only 51% of fans are certain that women are allowed to compete in F1, with 24% indicating uncertainty, 13% assuming women are barred, and 21% admitting to not knowing.

More Than Equal has presented the survey results to the FIA, the governing body, receiving significant support and acknowledgment of the organization’s crucial role. Donnelly describes the FIA as a vitalTitle: Study Reveals Gender Bias Hindering Women’s Progress in Motorsport

Abbi Pulling, an exceptional driver from Britain, is widely recognized as one of the country’s top female racers.

A recent study conducted by More Than Equal, an organization co-founded by former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard, has shed light on the challenges faced by women in advancing to higher echelons of motorsport. The study identifies prejudice as a significant barrier, impeding female drivers’ progress due to difficulties in securing funding.

The study highlights several factors contributing to this issue, including the absence of gender-specific training programs, a lack of female role models, and mechanical challenges. Current data reveals that female participation in motorsport stands at approximately 10%. Surprisingly, there is no comprehensive global participation data available for women in the sport, a revelation that surprised Alison Donnelly, the CEO of More Than Equal and a former Sport England employee.

The study emphasizes that financial constraints affect both male and female drivers universally. However, it points out that female drivers face greater difficulty in attracting investors and sponsors during the early stages of their careers. This lack of support inhibits their progress during crucial developmental periods.

Donnelly explains that many female drivers have expressed their struggles in securing investments, which consequently limits their track time and opportunities to showcase their talents. The study presents a hypothetical scenario comparing two drivers, one male and one female, both aged 14, with identical accomplishments and trajectories. The male driver is more likely to receive backing and sponsorship, given the perceived clarity of his path to Formula 1 if he demonstrates his capabilities. Unfortunately, such opportunities have been scarce for female drivers for an extended period, leading them to voice concerns about the lack of support and the financial risks involved.

Addressing this disparity, the study emphasizes the need for the motorsport industry to effectively communicate the importance of investing in women drivers and outline the potential benefits for sponsors and brands.

Donnelly praises the establishment of the new F1 Academy, which provides valuable track time for young female drivers during their critical developmental stages.

The study reveals that while karting, the category where most top drivers start their careers, accounts for 40% of female participation in motorsport, women and girls constitute only 13% of participants in this category. As drivers progress to formula and GT racing, female representation decreases further to 7%. In the top tiers of the sport, the ratio drops to a mere 4%.

Negative stereotypes and perceptions regarding women’s driving abilities and physical competence pose additional barriers. Women and girls often encounter unwelcoming or inappropriate cultural environments within the sport.

Mechanical challenges exacerbate the obstacles, such as the absence of power steering in the categories leading to Formula 1, despite F1 cars utilizing steering assistance.

As a result, female drivers tend to leave the sport much earlier than their male counterparts. On average, female careers last between one and five years, while male careers are more likely to surpass a decade.

The study cites Hintsa, a renowned performance group responsible for training approximately half of all Formula 1 drivers, which found no evidence of physical or psychological barriers preventing women from excelling in motorsport with adequate support and training. The study emphasizes the need for gender-appropriate and age-specific training programs tailored to women, as current training predominantly focuses on men.

Furthermore, the study reveals an emerging, younger female fan base that desires direct competition between women and men. However, these fans perceive motorsport as ranking 20th out of 21 sports in terms of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Surprisingly, only 51% of fans are certain that women are allowed to compete in Formula 1, with 24% expressing uncertainty, 13% assuming women are barred, and 21% admitting to not knowing.

More ThanEqual has presented the survey results to the FIA, the governing body of motorsport, which has shown significant support and acknowledged the crucial role of the organization. Donnelly describes the FIA as an essential and influential entity in addressing these issues and expresses optimism about the future growth of the sport.

More Than Equal aims to identify emerging female drivers and provide them with commercial opportunities and a support program to navigate the various levels of motorsport on their journey towards Formula 1. Donnelly concludes by stating that, with effective implementation, the organization envisions a cohort of female drivers who have received better training than ever before.

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More about gender bias

• Study: Prejudice preventing female growth in motorsport
• More Than Equal organization
• FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile)
• Formula 1 Academy
• Hintsa Performance
• Sport England