
It has been nearly 50 years since Lella Lombardi became the last female driver to compete in a Formula 1 race. As the sport celebrates its 75th anniversary, the question remains: Can a woman make it to F1 in today’s male-dominated world?
A new initiative, More Than Equal, co-founded by ex-F1 driver David Coulthard, is working to change that. The programme is training six talented young female drivers to give them the best chance of making it to the top levels of motorsport.
Science & Training: Preparing Girls for F1

Physical & Cognitive Testing:
Last month, the first group of girls (aged 13-14) underwent testing at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport. Their training included:
VO2 Max Test – Measuring oxygen efficiency for endurance.
Neck Strength Training – Essential for handling G-forces in racing.
Cognitive Assessments – Testing reaction times and decision-making skills.
Tom Stanton, Head of Driver Development:
“We believe this world-class programme will help us understand what it takes to develop young female drivers.”
Menstrual Cycle Research:
The programme also studies how the menstrual cycle impacts performance, an area often overlooked in sports.
Professor Kirsty Elliot-Sale:
“This research could be game-changing. If we understand these factors, we can give female drivers the same freedom to perform as men.”
The Barriers for Women in Racing
Financial Challenges: Motorsport is one of the few sports where wealth is as important as talent. Many female drivers struggle to secure sponsorship.
Lack of Female Representation: Women make up only 10% of motorsport participants, making it harder to gain support and opportunities.
Physical Demands: While experts believe women can compete in F1, studies show that men naturally have 20% higher VO2 Max scores with the same fitness level.
Stanton on Gender Comparisons:
“We compare girls to boys in talent identification but also focus on the female field to better understand their development.”
Facing Adversity: Young Female Racers Speak Out
Lana Flack (Australia, 13) – Faced sabotage while leading a championship.
Skye Parker (Wales, 14) – Wrongly accused of taking another driver out, told: “This is why women shouldn’t race.”
💬 Parker on Her F1 Dream:
“My big dream is to be a multiple F1 world champion. But I have to get one first.”
These young drivers are determined to prove their talent, break down barriers, and change the future of F1.
Can We Finally See a Female F1 Driver Again?

With More Than Equal and the FIA’s Girls on Track programme, female racers finally have structured support.
💬 Will we see a woman on the F1 grid soon? Drop your thoughts below! 👇