Male bias in motorsports hits the female drivers of F1 Academy hard
Stephanie Carlin states women are not being taken seriously in motorsports.
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Abbi Pulling. Image via Speedqueens.
F1 Academy was founded by Formula 1 to create opportunities for women in single-seat racing. Rodin Carlin is one of the five teams in the series, and the team principal Stephanie Carlin believes women are not being taken seriously in motorsport. Carlin’s team has two British drivers, Abbi Pulling, Jessica Edgar and Canadian Megan Gilkes. The new series begins in Austria this weekend.
Stephanie Carlin spoke about the problems women face at race tracks. From unsegregated changing rooms to negative interaction on social media, Carlin spoke to BBC Sport alongside her driver, Abbi. This was ahead of the race at the Red Bull Ring. Carlin feels that women have to be also compensated compared to the men. She highlighted the things women endure in the sport.
Carlin stated, “Now is a really good example of [Pulling] not being taken seriously in what she’s doing and has to overcompensate every day just to kind of get on an even footing. That’s the kind of thing Abbi has had to endure – changing rooms that haven’t been segregated – and she’s had to get changed in racetracks along with loads of boys.”
F1 Academy Stephanie Carlin believes women have to push against the odds to make a name for themselves in motorsport
Rodin Carlin’s team boss added, “Motorsport is really intense. You’re analysed every single lap. I think female athletes probably get three times more negative interaction on social media than their male counterparts, and they have to withstand, absorb it and push against the odds to achieve the same as their male counterparts – so they have already achieved a huge amount before getting on track.”
According to Carlin, young people still developing their personalities endure being scrutinized on every single lap. It’s part of being a sportsperson. The F1 Academy was established to help women aged under 25 develop their skills as racing drivers. Members of the Formula 3 and Formula 2 series manage the F1 Academy. The drivers aim to climb up the ladder and move towards the highest class of Formula racing.
The last woman to compete in a Formula 1 race was Lella Lombardi in 1976. Susie Wolff was the last woman to take part in an F1 practice session in 2014. Wolff is now the managing director of F1 Academy. The focus of the series is to help women reach the top in motorsports. Formula 1 teams welcome diversity as there are more women in the sport now. Rodin Carlin driver Abbi Pulling is also a part of F1 team Alpine’s driver development program. However, though there are plenty of initiatives for women to join the sport, the F1 Academy races will not be streamed live while Formula 1 races are broadcasted over 62 countries.
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Sugantha Meena
(493 Articles Published)