2024: Women In Motorsport, a year in review

As every year, it’s time to recap the season just gone by, analyze the trends, learn from what has happened during the last 366 days, and spark change to increase the base of the pyramid: here are our top female talents that stood out.

As every year, it’s time to recap the season just gone by, analyze the trends, learn from what has happened during the last 366 days, and spark change to increase the base of the pyramid.

At the same time, identifying the top female talents that stood out is important to recognize and celebrate great achievements, showcase that female drivers are indeed reaching remarkable results every year, and take a broader view to celebrate those moments and present them to a wider audience.

This is what Racers has strived to do since 2019. For the sixth year, we present the annual end-of-season review, where we go through the main stories of the year we just left behind and nominate our correspondents' top ten best female drivers of the past season.

That task is always extremely difficult, with over 30 drivers being nominated at least once and many significant moments—more than ever before—being mentioned as the biggest breakthroughs in the past 12 months. This stands as a testament to how women in motorsport continue to make progress and climb the ladder in some of the world's top championships.

While too often the narrative gets stuck on when we’ll see a woman back in Formula 1, the wider audience frequently overlooks the extraordinary progress made over the last 10 years—progress that has accelerated significantly in the past five or six years and is now starting to bear fruit.

In 2023, we witnessed a global surge in female participation in F4, mainly driven by the creation of F1 Academy as a response to the demise of W Series. The 105% increase in female entries in F4 in 2023 also mirrored a significant drop at the Formula Regional level, as drivers stepped down to F4 through the all-female series.

In 2024, the positive effects of F1 Academy began to feel more consistent: a further 40% growth in female participation in F4 resulted from more and more young women stepping up from karting and entering single-seaters, starting to create a solid legacy for the F1-promoted series. Fifty drivers raced in F4 in 2024, with 18 of them entering rounds of at least two different series. It is by far the largest number since the F4 platform was launched.

Alongside the 21 drivers who took the start of at least one F1 Academy race—following the introduction of the praised Wild Card rule—a record number of young female drivers raced in mixed-gender national F4 championships. Twenty-two drivers made their single-seater debut, marking a 100% increase from 2023. Twelve drivers transitioned from karting, reflecting an 18% increase from 2023. Twenty series at the F4 level featured female entries in at least one round, marking an all-time high.

These numbers are incredibly encouraging, and the trend seems likely to continue into 2025 as more and more young up-and-coming talents begin testing. It is also important to note initiatives like the MSV prize fund for the best-placed female driver in the GB4 Championship, which has historically promoted several drivers to F1 Academy. Launched in 2024, the fund resulted in Alisha Palmowski securing an F1 Academy seat in 2025. The prize fund will increase to €50,000 in 2025, making GB4 an affordable and attractive step into F4-level cars, especially with the introduction of a new halo-equipped car. Four women raced in GB4 in 2024, matching their 2022 record.

The mixed-gender series with the most female participation in 2024 was British F4, which saw nine drivers over the season, peaking at eight at Zandvoort. The series is also launching an initiative, the Challenge Cup, which is set to facilitate female entries from F1 Academy as double programs.

F4 UAE also continues to be a popular destination for female racers preparing for their main programs. This year saw the remarkable victory of Doriane Pin, who started her single-seater adventure among some of the world's best young talents and immediately collected a win.

As per tradition, Formula Nordic—formerly known as Danish F4—retains a significant female presence, while Indian F4 also emerged as a strong series for female representation, hosting five female drivers, several of whom made their car racing debuts.

The new F4 Saudi and F4 Central European Zone also proved to be notable platforms, as did the ever-growing Formula Winter Series, which saw Ella Lloyd and Lia Block making their single-seater debuts.

While presence in F4 continues to expand globally, the step up into Formula Regional territory remains challenging. Nine female drivers raced across FRECA, FR Americas, Eurocup-3, and FR Japan in 2024—a figure that remains unchanged from 2023 and has been relatively constant since 2020, excluding W Series data.

F1 Academy inaugural champion Marta Garcia stepped up to FRECA in an all-female team that included Iron Dames teammate Doriane Pin. The duo spent the season adapting to the car in a superbly competitive grid. F1 Academy graduate Léna Bühler also returned to FRECA, albeit for a partial campaign, as did returnee Maya Weug. While only one driver made the step up from F4 to FR in 2023, five drivers moved up in 2024, with three having never raced FR machinery before. One transitioned from TCR, while NASCAR star Hailie Deegan made her single-seater debut. Considering Euroformula Open as Regional F3 level, only Juju Noda stepped up to a higher-level single-seater from 2023.

The number of female drivers in third-tier, second-tier, and higher formulas has also grown, doubling from 2023. While only three women competed at this level one year ago, 2024 saw Jamie Chadwick, Sophia Floersch, and Katherine Legge all returning to their respective series. Juju Noda secured a spot in Japan's premier formula series, Super Formula, while Lindsay Brewer and Taylor Ferns contested partial campaigns in the second-tier IndyNXT series. This marks the largest increase in five years.

Chadwick's success was one of the biggest stories of the year, proving that when afforded a second year, drivers can make significant strides. Sophia Floersch tested Formula 2 machinery for the first time in a collaborative Silverstone test with Dallara, F2, and F3, demonstrating good potential in her first outing in a bigger car and providing critical feedback for the next-generation cars. Similarly, Chloe Chambers drove the new-gen F3 car, as manufacturers continue to make their cars more accessible to a wider pool of talent and physical builds.

The partnership between More Than Equal and AVL Racetech aims to build the next generation of female racing drivers, and six young female racing drivers aged between 13 and 14 have been selected for the first Driver Development Programme which is set to offer coaching, data analysis and a solid technical foundation for their next steps.

While growth has been steady and substantial in single-seaters, 2024 saw a slowdown for female drivers in prototype sports cars. One year ago, the number had nearly doubled at the LMP3 level, as several drivers sought opportunities in sports cars after their formula stints. However, 2024 saw a 40% decrease, returning to 2022 levels. Bélen Garcia was the only driver to race consistently in LMP3, while new Iron Dame Karen Gaillard continued her Ultimate Cup program in the similar-level NP01 machine, albeit in a less fortunate campaign compared to 2023. German driver Lea Mauer made her LMP3 debut in the Prototype Winter Series but could not secure a full campaign.

Similarly, in LMP2, only one driver competed in 2024, down from three the previous season. Nevertheless, Wadoux once again proved to be a record-breaker, winning her first race in prototypes. Meanwhile, Pin stepped down to formulas, and Tatiana Calderon moved to the GT3 platform.

The positive trend for GT categories, on the other hand, continued into 2024, once again reaching significant numbers and reflecting the general golden moment of endurance racing. There was a 44% increase in female drivers across the major GT3 and GT-Cup series in 2024, with the total approaching 50 drivers. Several competitors participated in double campaigns.

The return of the Iron Dames to ELMS, as well as the expansion of the most famous all-female team into more racing programs worldwide, continues to act as a springboard for female participation at the highest level of sports cars. At the same time, the team has proven that women can win races at that level. The Iron Dames have effectively played a role similar to what F1 Academy has done in single-seaters, with results already noticeable at grassroots levels.

Porsche programs are also making a major push toward sports cars and one-make GT championships. Female support programs are starting to show real success, significantly helping both financially and in identifying emerging talents. Across all its national and regional championships, the Porsche's pyramid—from Sprint Challenge to Carrera Cup—has been a game-changer. Women’s scholarships are beginning to make a significant mark, resulting in more drivers competing full-time, stepping onto podiums, winning in class, and ultimately moving up. This represents a solid trend.

This Porsche commitment ultimately peaked with an enhanced partnership with the Iron Dames, set to begin in 2025. Michelle Gatting will be promoted to factory driver, supported by a broader project at the national level to establish a pathway for women in motorsport.

There has been a slight increase in drivers transitioning from single-seaters to GT, although the trend remains steady from last year. However, it's not only about participation but also about success rates. Women broke the barrier of 40 class wins in major GT3 and GT Cup series worldwide—a 29% increase.

GT4 has also grown, though not as intensely as in 2023, with consistent numbers of women on the grid (+22%). Close to 10 wins were recorded in major GT4 series, demonstrating success building across the ladder.

Alongside Porsche, other driver shootouts and female-oriented initiatives are making a significant difference in this regard. The Heart of Racing’s all-female squad in GT4 America continued to collect remarkable results, including a class win, class podiums, and an overall podium despite several re-categorizations up to the top Silver class.

The second year of the Matmut Volant 100% Féminin initiative also saw a slightly different lineup continuing the progress. Jilkova and former hill-climb champion Gudet made a successful transition to circuit racing, significantly closing the gap and running competitively despite an unfavorable BoP for the team.

In the United States, the RAFA Racing Club female driver shootout saw Caroline Candas emerge victorious, earning a funded seat in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America. The Frenchwoman transitioned from touring cars to GT4, securing two wins and a vice-champion title. Three female drivers competed in the Cayman class, with podiums also achieved by Loni Unser. The Porsche Sprint Challenge platform also proved to be an excellent stage for drivers such as Isabel Rustad in Scandinavia, who ultimately claimed the title, as well as competitors in the Brazilian, Benelux, Germany, Suisse, and France championships.

Female participation in touring cars was more unsteady, as TCR-sanctioned series slightly decreased globally. Nevertheless, the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge retained a frontrunner presence. TCR Spain—paired with the TCR Cup class—became the worldwide TCR series with the highest female participation, featuring four drivers. Two-wheels icon Ana Carrasco secured the Cup class title, showcasing great skills in four-wheel racing as well.

TCR Eastern Europe had its first female driver, and two drivers entered at least one round of the TCR World Tour.

This wealth of data and stories shaped 2024 into one of the most significant years for women in motorsport in recent times, offering countless exciting stories to celebrate.

TOP 10

LILOU WADOUX

Ferrari factory driver Lilou Wadoux was the only driver nominated by every single one of our correspondents and undoubtedly one of the most remarkable female drivers of our generation, enjoying another great year in several series around the world.

Wadoux, who joined Ferrari in 2023 becoming the first ever female factory driver in the Prancing Horse GT history, enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2023 which included her maiden victory in FIA WEC, when a woman stepped on the top of the podium in the World Endurance Championship for the first time.

Wadoux was thrown in the deep end in most of the highest level GT competitions in the world: WEC, IMSA, GT World Challenge Europe, Intercontinental GT Challenge. She always performed brilliantly, matching the pace of much more experienced racers in both the 488 GTE as well as the new 296 GT3 machine, adapting extremely quickly to diverse series and teammates.

In 2024, Wadoux was announced as part of the PONOS Racing team in Japan's premier sportcar championship SuperGT, at the wheel of the #45 Ferrari 296 GT3 alongside former WEC racer Kei Cozzolino. Competing in one of the world's toughest and most competitive series, without experience of the circuits and the format, Wadoux stunned everyone with quick adaptability once again and was soon in the top 10 with a ninth place on her second race. She further closed in one the top five at Suzuka, and then completed an outstanding drive at Sugo, under rainy conditions, when she held off the competition for most of the race, eventually crossing the finish line in second place and becoming the first woman in nearly 30 years to step on the podium.

Wadoux's rookie season in Super GT was undoubtedly impressive despite the team dealing with difficult tyres in the closing rounds; however Lilou also had the chance to prove herself Stateside, as she entered a partial campaign in IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup rounds. Returning to LMP2 machinery as part of the AF Corse team, Wadoux was often the star of the field in the class and claimed another historic victory at the 6 Hours of the Glen.

Lilou also contested the 24 Hours of Spa and was the only woman on the grid of the biggest GT3 race on the planet. With a stellar effort, Lilou brought the Sky Tempesta Ferrari across the finish line in fourth place among the Bronze Cup class, having battled throughout the race for the top positions in class, amidst changeable weather.

SARAH BOVY

Sarah Bovy, one of the undisputed stars of international sports car racing, has been a cornerstone of the success story that is Iron Dames.

In the FIA World Endurance Championship, Bovy made history by claiming the final pole position in the LMGTE class last year. She followed this achievement by securing pole position in the LMGT3 category at the season opener. Driving the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2, Bovy earned two pole positions during the WEC season and delivered outstanding stints in the early stages of several races, consistently aiming to put her team in the best possible position.

While outright results were often influenced by some technical issues, Bovy particularly stood out at the 6H of Interlagos, Brazil, where she claimed pole position and ran a flawless first part of the race, setting the fastest lap, before being forced out by an issue. However her lap time remained unbeaten even by gold and platinum drivers later in the race, and Bovy took home a fastest lap.

The team returned to ELMS since 2022, this time with the Porsche 911 GT3, and Bovy was again the star of the field in qualifying as she would secure four pole positions over six rounds. The team finished fourth in the standings, with a victory at Imola and a second place at Portimao.

While her performances over the last few years meant that she was recategorized from bronze to silver, the quick and talented Belgian will enter the 2025 season poised to compete in some of the world’s most prestigious sports car championships as a silver driver.

ABBI PULLING

2024 was undoubtedly the year of Abbi Pulling, who dominated the F1 Academy championship in a record-breaking campaign, sweeping away the competition.

The Alpine Academy driver was the undisputed star of the second-ever F1 Academy season, securing the title twice: first after the opening race in Qatar, with three races to spare, and again after Abu Dhabi qualifying, where she solidified her dominance with a double pole position.

Pulling’s journey to the title was particularly impressive following a challenging first season in 2023. Initially expected to be Garcia's closest rival, Pulling endured a tricky campaign marred by issues that left her with seven podiums but no wins. Determined to turn things around, the British racer remained with Rodin Motorsport for 2024, and her second season began on a promising note in pre-season testing, where both Pulling and Pin displayed front-running pace.

While Pin emerged as the fastest driver in Jeddah, Pulling still secured a victory in Race 2, kicking off a remarkable streak. The Alpine driver went on to claim nine wins, ten pole positions, and six fastest laps. Highlights included two wins in Miami, a win and a second place in Barcelona, and another victory at Zandvoort. Her lowest finish of the season—a third place—was followed by a flawless weekend in Singapore, where she returned to the top step of the podium.

In Qatar, Pin once again posed a challenge, but Pulling fought back spectacularly in the season finale. She claimed three pole positions, two wins, and a second-place finish, concluding one of the most dominant campaigns in single-seater racing with a 121-point advantage over her nearest rival.

Pulling’s success was not confined to the F1 Academy. She also contested a double program, returning to British F4 with Rodin Motorsport, where she further impressed. Competing in one of Europe’s most competitive mixed-gender F4 fields, Pulling consistently ran among the top five in practice and qualifying. At Brands Hatch, during the second round, she made history by securing her first victory in the series.

This long-awaited success came after earlier stints in 2020 and 2021, where she had collected six podiums. With a stable program and proper testing, Pulling found her stride, adding two more second-place finishes, six top-five results, and 16 points-scoring finishes to her record. Remarkably, she ended the year seventh in the standings despite missing two rounds—one-fifth of the calendar—due to scheduling clashes with the F1 Academy.

ALISHA PALMOWSKI

18-year-old Alisha Palmowski was undoubtedly one of the revelations of 2024, when she made one of the most remarkable debuts in single seaters in recent memory.

The British driver graduated from the highly-competitive Ginetta Junior Championship, where she claimed 10 podium finishes in 2023. Alisha then demonstrated immediate speed right from her first tests in F4 machinery – and went on to claim a spectacular victory at Oulton Park, in her first-ever formula race in the GB4 Championship.

Palmowski’s rookie season continued with a second place at Silverstone, then she was again on the podium in Donington, before a breakthrough weekend at Snetterton saw the Elite Motorsport rookie bagging two wins and a second place. The final three rounds at Silverstone, Donington and Brands Hatch saw four more podiums, as Palmowski ended the year with another second place and ultimately the Vice-Champion title.

Her outstanding rookie season ultimately featured three victories, two pole positions, 11 podiums, and 16 top-five finishes in 20 races, with an unbroken streak of podiums at every round. Palmowski became the highest finishing female racer in GB4 history, and earned a €30,000 prize fund from MSV toward a F1 Academy seat in 2025 that will see her securing the Red Bull drive at Campos Racing.

At the Qatar GP, she had already made her first appearance on the grid of the all-female series as the Wild Card entry, turning heads with top-five pace across the weekend – and was on course to fight for a podium in the then-cancelled second race.

At the end of the year, Alisha also had the opportunity to drive the new-gen Formula E car as she joined Envision Racing in the all-female Formula E team at the Jarama Circuit, Spain.

She was also selected as one of the 10 finalists for the 2024 Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award.

Palmowski proved to be a quick driver at every circuit she visited, with great qualifying pace but also a great overtaker, with stellar recovery drives in the GB4 reverse grid races – which make the new-Red Bull driver one of the up-and-coming talents to watch in 2025.

JAMIE CHADWICK

Three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick made a bold move to the United States in 2023, stepping up to the highly competitive Indy NXT, IndyCar's premier feeder series—a significant milestone in her career. In her rookie season, Chadwick showed steady progress as she adapted to the car, a far more powerful machine compared to the Formula Regional vehicle, and to the unfamiliar North American circuits, including her first-ever outings on ovals. She achieved five top-ten finishes, with a personal best of sixth place.

As is often the case, the first year was for learning, and the second for winning—and in her second season, Jamie Chadwick delivered. Remaining with the Andretti Global team, the British star consistently ran in the top five during practice sessions and showed marked improvement in qualifying.

Though the season opener at St. Petersburg didn’t go as planned, Chadwick’s first podium wasn’t far off. At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, she battled at the front and finished third, securing a historic podium.

A string of strong results followed, culminating in a standout performance at the challenging Road America circuit. There, Chadwick claimed her first pole position and delivered a stellar victory. It was a landmark moment—the first road course win by a female driver in series history and the first in 16 years.

Chadwick continued her streak of positive results, securing four more top-ten finishes before returning to the top five at the Milwaukee Mile. Her improvement on ovals was particularly evident, as she became increasingly confident in qualifying and gained experience with every lap in racing conditions.

Chadwick ultimately finished seventh in the championship standings but remained in contention for fifth place until the very last round. It was a highly positive season that showcased her growth and culminated in an IndyCar test at Barber Motorsports Park.

MICHELLE GATTING

It was a season of highs and lows for Iron Dames, who proved to be quick in all championships but often didn't capitalize on the results they deserved. When things didn't go wrong, however, it was often Michelle Gatting's task to bring the car home - and she definitely had to fight for every single position, one fraction of a second at a time to defend for a win or for a podium.

And the Danish superstar did deliver. In her first year after being rated Gold, Gatting was up against some of the world's top sports car stars in the world, both gold and platinum rated, in the closing stages of the races - but she held her own like the outstanding talent that she is, and elevated the magenta machine to two podiums and a win in ELMS.

Michelle, who has been part of the Iron Dames project since its inception, has developed into a quick and reliable driver, who often maximises the car's potential but at the same time is not afraid of battling it out elbows out. Her final stint at the 4 Hours of Imola epitomizes this spirit, with also the closing stages in the dominated 4H of Portimao, ultimately sacrificed for the sister car's title.

A great team player, Gatting is also a fierce driver that always asks the absolute maximum from herself - and proved it on numerous occasions in 2024, including stunning performances at Spa and Le Mans in WEC. Quick with both the Porsche GT3 as well as the Lamborghini Huracan, Michelle was consistent, determined and ready to carry the team on her shoulders in the final crucial moments of the races. Her stellar performances validated her Gold status and led to a significant milestone in 2025: Michelle Gatting earned her first factory contract, becoming an official Porsche driver.

DORIANE PIN

Fresh off her WEC Revelation of the year award in 2023, Doriane Pin decided to take a different route in 2024 and made her single seater debut with an outstanding first ever appearance in the F4 South East Asia, securing a win and the vice-champion title.

She then continued her developmental campaign with the uber competitive F4 UAE championship, again collecting another victory at YAS Marina Circuit which put her name among the most exciting formula prospects. The Frenchwoman, in fact, had been running consistently at the top of the field, alongside top F4 drivers, proving that she could be competitive on her formula debut.

Pin built momentum and it would be soon clear that she had the speed to fight at the front end of the F1 Academy championship, which she joined in a surprise move once she entered the Mercedes AMG Junior Program, in a Prema entry.

She continued to impress in pre-season testing and, at the season opener in Jeddah, Saudi, she claimed a dominant double-victory - only to have her second win revoked by a post-race penalty.

Pin however continued to score podium finishes at the following rounds, returning to the top step of the rostrum in Zandvoort with a pole, win and fastest lap. She repeated the achievement in Lusail, Qatar. Pin concluded her first season with three wins, eighth podiums, five pole positions and four fastest laps, ultimately securing the Vice-Champion title.

A sports car star with victories in LMGTE and podiums in LMP2, Pin's move from endurance to single seaters was certainly not an easy one - possibly more complex than the general audience understands - but she immediately showed great skills and was soon thrown in at the deep end in Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine as well, where she secured four top-20 finishes with a personal best of 13th in Le Castellet and qualified and battled in the top-ten in the home round.

Doriane's season was also marred by a rib injury early in the year, which meant that she missed a few FRECA rounds and the 24 Hour of Le Mans. Nevertheless, the young French racer recovered well and was the protagonist of a very promising campaign, which she's now aiming to top in 2025.

SAMANTHA TAN

Samantha Tan's rise in GT racing has not been an overnight phenomena but rather a really progressive process where the Canadian driver/owner worked her way up, from touring cars in Canada and the US, up to GT4 and her first international campaigns in 24H Series.

Having stepped up to the GT3 platform in 2022, Tan adapted perfectly to the M4 GT3 - which famously recorded its first ever global win in the hands of the Canadian team.

Tan continued to climb the ladder, working steadily as both driver and team owner and building a powerhouse team that took on GT World Challenge America as well as Europe, with class podiums in all series. Samantha's 2024 season represented another step forward in this regard, as she aimed to capitalize in the ProAm class of the SRO-promoted championship in a stellar duo with Neil Verhagen.

The Canadian's season was off to a brilliant start and she recorded a streak of eight consecutive class podiums in the first eight races. After two second place finishes at Sonoma, Samantha and her teammate stepped for the first time on top of the podium at Sebring, where they were also in the overall top-3 in race 1. Two more ProAm wins followed at Circuit of the Americas, in a flawless weekend that gained them two more overall podiums.

Two second places at VIR built the team a solid margin in the standings; at Road America Samantha secured another second place, while an unfortunate first race interrupted the streak of podiums. Bad luck, however, struck at Barber Motorsports Park, and the ProAm title battle went down to the wire at the 8H of Indianapolis - where technical issues ultimately denied Samantha the crown for the smallest margin in a heartbreaking finale.

Nevertheless, Tan’s 2024 season was a testament to her exceptional progress. She frequently emerged as the fastest AM driver on the grid, delivering standout performances that often saw her challenging Pro drivers and making a decisive impact in the ProAm class.

At the same time she also made appearances in GT4 Europe, took a class win at the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie, and a podium in a solo run at Long Beach in the GT America championship - testament of her hard work as a driver, as she is now aiming to continue on this path by also tackling her first solo campaign in 2025, in the IMSA VP Racing Sports Car Championship.

RAFAELA FERREIRA

Brazilian teenager Rafaela Ferreira made history in her debut season in Brazilian F4, when she claimed a podium in Interlagos' final round that brought her under the international spotlight. But it would be her sophomore season in 2024 to ultimately be one of the most exciting up and coming female drivers in F4 competitions.

Ferreira finished 13th in the standings in her rookie season, with nine top-ten finishes to her name - but the progress was so evident in 2024 that the TMG Racing driver emerged as a consistent top-5 runner, frequently battling for the podium and ultimately for victories.

The 19 year old built on her experience and a solid testing program and started off the season with a third and a second place finishes at Velo Citta, then was runner up again in Interlagos on the second round. But history was made once again at Velo Citta one round later, when Ferreira took a breakthrough victory in race 2, becoming the first ever woman to win in the series' history.

Another podium followed at Goiania and, on the series' first trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rafaela impressed with one of her strongest weekends, winning race 2 and securing second in race 3. The weekend of the F1 Sao Paulo GP was disrupted by rain that ended in the postponement of one race - and after another second place in Goiania, Ferreira secured her third win of the year at the make up round in Interlagos.

Ending the year with another podium, Rafaela Ferreira just missed out on a top-three in the standings, however completed a remarkable season with three wins, two pole positions and two fastest laps, totalling 222 points. Her highly competitive season gained her a spot in the 2025 F1 Academy grid, as the Brazilian has been signed to the Red Bull Academy program as the VCARB representative - a very deserved reward for a superb season as one of the most competitive female drivers in mixed-gender F4 championships in 2024.

LUNA FLUXA

Being signed to the Mercedes AMG Junior Program, Iron Dames, and representing the F1 Academy Discover Your Drive programme is already a notable achievement for a 14 year old karting driver - but what Spanish talent Luna Fluxa Cross achieved in 2024 is simply phenomenal and gained her a spot in our top ten of the year - becoming the first karter to make the list.

A driver with an outstanding record in national and international karting since Mini competitions, Fluxa continued to impress in Junior and Senior categories - where she claimed the the title in the inaugural Champions of the Future Academy Program (COTFA) in the Senior class, the top category in the RGMMC-promoted series.

By doing so, Fluxa became the first female driver to win an FIA International championship since 1966, when Susanna Raganelli became Karting World Champion.

Luna was a dominant force all season, claiming five out of six wins in the first half of the season. In the season opener in Cremona, Fluxa swept the competition, sealing both finals with impressive margins.

Another victory followed on home soil at Valencia, wth a second place in the second final as her lowest result. The dominance continued at Franciacorta: Fluxa was unbeatable in both finals and took home victories in every single qualifying heat. At the end of the European leg of the championship, Fluxa led by a whopping 151 points.

The Dubai round, however, proved to be more challenging and she had a best of fifth, despite winning again one of the qualifying heats and consistently battling for the podium. Bad luck continued into the Al Ain round - when a contact took her out of contention in the first stages, however she was able to fight back in the second final and grab another top 3.

While her leadership in the championship standings was never really under threat, Fluxa bounced back and showcased all her talent in the season finale in Al Forsan, where she returned to the top step of the podium and sealed the title with one race to spare - ultimately completing the year with six final wins, nine podiums from 12 races, and a staggering 665 points that wrote her name in the history books of karting.

MOMENT OF THE YEAR

IRON DAMES WIN ELMS 4H OF IMOLA

As we've seen, the year gone by was one of many memorable moments for women in motorsport - certainly more than in the five preceding years of this report. Yet there were a few that stood out and received almost unanimous votes. Among them was the Iron Dames return to the top step of the podium, when Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting came out on top of an epic battle at the European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Imola.

The success marked the team's first win in 2024, and came after securing a third consecutive pole position by qualifying master Sarah Bovy. Despite a challenging start to the weekend, the all-female team showcased exceptional speed with all its drivers: Bovy navigated intense early battles, recovering the lead after a fierce duel and consistently built a gap, but had to contend with multiple Full Course Yellows, which reset the field. Just before one neutralization, she completed a legendary move by passing the car ahead.

Rahel Frey took over during the middle stint, maintaining the team’s position and surviving a ten-second penalty that resulted in a challenging safety car restart. Her experience and pace ensured Iron Dames remained in contention as the race approached its final stint.

Michelle Gatting then completed the masterpiece as she faced relentless pressure from the #59 Aston Martin, despite her aging tyres. Gatting delivered a masterclass in defense, holding her rivals at bay through intense wheel-to-wheel action. Her efforts secured Iron Dames' emotional victory, marking another significant milestone for the team.

JAMIE CHADWICK TAKES HISTORIC VICTORY IN INDY NXT

History was made at Road America, when Jamie Chadwick became the first woman to win an Indy NXT race on a street or road course. Chadwick had just secured her maiden pole position in qualifying, already marking a historic achievement as the third female pole sitter in the series and the first to do so on a non-oval track.

This victory ended a 16-year drought for female drivers in Indy NXT and cemented Chadwick’s place alongside Pippa Mann and Bia Figueiredo as the only woman to win in the series. The Andretti Autosport driver led from start to finish in a challenging contest marked by three restarts and a red flag.

Despite heavy pressure from rivals Louis Foster and Jacob Abel, she demonstrated great racecraft, maintaining her lead throughout; Jamie's decisive moves on restarts, coupled with her ability to handle pressure, ensured she crossed the finish line first after a two-lap showdown, delivering a landmark victory in her sophomore campaign.

Chadwick’s success at Road America turned around a tricky start of the season, where strong performances often went unrewarded - and propelled the British racer in the fight for the top five in the championship standings.

ALISHA PALMOWSKI CLAIMS VICTORY ON SINGLE SEATER DEBUT

Alisha Palmowski's stellar debut in GB4 Championship certainly didn't go unnoticed and her victory on her first ever start in single seaters also received almost unanimous nominations from our correspondents.

The 17 year old British driver made history at the opening round of the 2024 GB4 Championship at Oulton Park, claiming a commanding victory in Race 1 and becoming the first woman to win a non-reverse grid race in the series. Palmowski, in her rookie season in single-seaters, displayed remarkable racecraft throughout the weekend.

Graduating from the Ginetta Junior Championship, where she achieved 10 podiums and a fifth-place finish in 2023, Palmowski seamlessly transitioned to formula cars, showcasing her potential right from pre-season testing and into her competitive debut.

The challenging conditions at Oulton Park highlighted Palmowski's talent, as rain played a significant role in the opening weekend. She topped both practice sessions and narrowly missed pole position in qualifying, starting Race 1 from the front row. She then capitalized on a stellar start, pulling away from the field and managing her lead masterfully, despite pressure and incidents involving her competitors.

She crossed the line with a 3.6-second margin, setting multiple fastest laps and cementing her place in GB4 history.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

ALISHA PALMOWSKI - GB4 CHAMPIONSHIP

Newly-signed F1 Academy driver Alisha Palmowski is the only driver to feature on the list across all three categories. Her remarkable rookie year in 2024 established her as one of the most exciting female talents in motorsport.

Alisha completed her first season of single-seater racing with a Vice-Champion title in GB4 Championship, where she demonstrated immediate speed right from pre-season tests and went on to make headlines with a debut win at Oulton Park - securing victory in her first-ever formula race that also made our list as one of the 2024 Moments of the Year.

She returned to the podium at Silverstone with a second-place finish, followed by another top-three at Donington, before enjoying a double win and a second-place finish at Snetterton. Palmowski continued her unbroken record of podium finishes, standing on the podium again at Silverstone, Donington and Brands Hatch, where she stood twice on the rostrum to seal the runner up spot in the standings.

ELLA LLOYD - BRITISH F4

Welsh racer Ella Lloyd also tackled her first season of single seater racing - and equally impressed.

Lloyd enjoyed an impressive British F4 campaign, her first in single seaters, securing four podiums – three of which runner up positions. With 13 top-ten finishes out of 27 races, she finished the season in 11th place in the standings, with a remarkable 99 points to her name.

After a solid testing program in 2023, Lloyd made her single-seater racing debut in the Formula Winter Series at the start of the year, contesting two rounds and immediately showcasing her potential. She then signed up for her first full season in British F4 with JHR Developments, where she quickly made an impact by scoring two top-10 finishes on her debut at Donington Park. Her season continued with eleven more top-10 results, including six top-five finishes.

Lloyd showed particular strength in qualifying, displaying great speed and making aggressive moves in races; despite missing the penultimate race meeting at Silverstone due to a clash with her debut in F1 Academy—where she scored points twice as a Wild Card entrant—Lloyd returned to British F4 for the season finale at Brands Hatch and again stood on the podium in the finale.

Her consistent performances and aggressive driving style did not go unnoticed, as Lloyd was soon after announced as a member of the McLaren Driver Academy for the 2025 F1 Academy championship.

LILOU WADOUX - SUPER GT

The Ferrari factory driver has built momentum over the last two years - however faced a significant challenge in 2024, as she would have to take on one of the world's most competitive sports car championship, in a new team who had never competed in the series, working with a new teammate and on circuits that she had never driven on.

Entering the 2024 Super GT season with minimal testing and in what was her first full season at the wheel of the Ferrari 296 GT3, in a championship where tyre compound is crucial and sharing the track with drivers with plenty of experience of Japan's top sports car championship, all the odds were stacked against her.

However, Wadoux made the most of her usual approach - hard work and a low profile - which resulted in the Ponos Racing duo promptly climbing the ranks of the GT300 class.

After barely missing out on a top ten on debut at Okayama, the Frenchwoman secured her first top-10 with a P9 at Fuji - then immediately closed in on the top five in the extremely competitive field.

After a sixth place in Suzuka, she held on masterfully in a wet race at Sugo to claim the historic podium. While the second half of the season was hindered by unfavourable conditions for the Michelin tyres on colder temperatures, Wadoux quickly gained the respect of her rivals on track.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Our lists of acknowledgments are obviously not complete or exhaustive, as there are still plenty of athletes deserving recognition for their inspiring achievements in 2024.

While Abbi Pulling and Doriane Pin filled the headlines in F1 Academy, Chloe Chambers was also one of the most convincing of the season: the American racer, representing Haas F1 Team, returned to single seaters after competing - and winning races in dominant fashion - in sports cars, and her adaptation was again a quick one. Chambers was one of the only four F1 Academy drivers to win a race in 2024, secured 4 podiums and showcased great racecraft with some of the best overtaking moves of the year. Returning to the series in 2025 and building on continuity with Campos, now representing Ford Red Bull, Chambers is clearly one of the drivers to watch.

Maya Weug climbed the podium in most of the rounds and took her first F1 Academy win in the season finale; while she couldn't quite challenge Pulling for the title, she is also in a good position in 2025, being eligible to return.

One of the drivers that stood out is also Lia Block: from no experience whatsoever in single seaters, the young American made the transition from rallying and, after a solid testing program, she made outstanding progress over the whole season, catching up with drivers with years of karting and circuit racing experience under their belt.

Mentioned as one of the best Rookies of the Year, Ella Lloyd also rose to the top in British F4 as well as in her F1 Academy outing. In her first year of F4 racing, Nina Gademan also impressed. The Dutchwoman made improvements at every British F4 weekend and often showed raw speed - with her F1 Academy wild-card weekend clearly deserving a mention: on her home round in Zandvoort, Gademan emerged as the best F1 Academy wild-card of the season, recording a fourth place finish.

While it was an unlucky season result-wise for Amna Al Qubaisi, the Emirati still proved to be a fantastic overtaker: balancing out her finishing positions with her starting positions, Amna gained 41 places over the whole season, and was by far the biggest movers in F1 Academy.

Sauber Academy driver Carrie Schreiner completed her second season in F1 Academy and reached the top ten in the standings; at the same time Schreiner confirmed to be one of the most versatile drivers, as she returned to contest also races in GT cars, and claimed a class victory in the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie aboard the Girls-Only BMW M4 GT4, together with a podium finish in the SP8T class at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring - her fourth in five participations.

Sophia Floersch couldn't quite replicate her 2023 results in FIA Formula 3, when she scored points and completed every single race. Bad luck marred her 2024 campaign, however she again narrowly missed out on a point scoring finish at Red Bull Ring. She will step up to IndyNXT.

Japanese star Juju Noda made one of the biggest leaps - from Euroformula to Japanese premier series Super Formula. While the move was a bold one, in a car significantly faster than anything she had ever driven and effectively in her first racing season on home soil, Noda learned progressively and shortened the gaps steadily. She impressed on debut, completed every race and was not far from a top ten at the finale in Suzuka, finishing 12th.

The inaugural F1 Academy champion, Marta García, faced a learning season in Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, as she stepped up in a funded seat thanks to the series prize. García recorded 7 top-20 finishes - but there was a lot more to results in her 2024: the Spaniard joined Iron Dames and, in September, she made her sportscar racing debut in the Ligier European Series. And it was a spectacular one, as Marta claimed victory on her first ever weekend in Spa Francorchamps - then won again on her second weekend in Portimao. While she announced that her formula career has likely come to an end, her pace in her first GT races - and the support of Iron Dames - are clearly a source of excitement for a bright future ahead.

GB4 Championship emerged as a springboard for new female talents, and the British-based series has teamed up with F1 Academy for a scholarship for its top female finisher. This saw 4 female racers on the grid in 2024: alongside Palmowski, former F1 Academy driver Chloe Grant scored her first podium and was three times in the top five; Megan Bruce made her single seater debut, in a season marked by a strong development for the Fox Motorsport driver, who also continued to race in the Mission Motorsport Caterham 270R Championship - where she was protagonist of brilliant recovery drives and multiple podiums.

Young American racer Ava Dobson also deserves a special mention: after her racing debut in 2023 in the F4 US Championship after turning 15, Dobson was scheduled to race in the USF Juniors series. However, a monster crash at the second round at Barber Motorsports Park ruled her out for most of the year. Ava made her return to racing on the other side of the Atlantic, as she joined the GB4 Championship at Silverstone and Donington, claiming a top ten on her first weekend.

Uruguayan Maite Cáceres made strides in 2024, as she enjoyed a widely positive season in the Ligier JS F4 series. The former F1 Academy driver returned Stateside and contested select rounds of the Formula FARA series, in preparation for her main program. Maite's season was off to a great start, with two podiums at NOLA, followed by more top-three finishes at Road America and Mid Ohio, where she continued her streak of podiums.

With another third place at COTA, she became the first female driver in F4 US, FR Americas and Ligier JS F4 to finish in the top three in the standings. Cáceres is set to move to sports cars in 2025, making her debut on the IMSA support package.

Brazilian teenager Antonella Bassani won the Porsche Cup Brazil title in 2023 on her car racing debut - and was just a few points away from replicating the achievement in 2024, with another outstanding season that saw five race wins, multiple pole positions and fastest laps. A former Girls On Track finalist, Bassani established herself as one of the stars of the Brazilian Porsche one-make series.

The Porsche ladder also elected a female champion in 2024, as Isabell Rustad was crowned the 2024 Porsche Sprint Challenge Scandinavia GT3 champion. The 19 year old, in her second full season in the series, won her first races and consistently finished on the podium throughout the season.

Also at the wheel of Porsche machinery, Sandra van der Sloot secured the Italian GT title in the GT Cup AM second division class, having won at Vallelunga and Mugello, and with podiums in Imola and Monza. The experienced Dutch racer shared the EF Racing Porsche 992 GT3 Cup car with rookie Andrea Buratti.

In the British GT Cup, Charlotte Gilbert took the title in both the the overall and Group GTC class, dominated by the Topcats Racing driver in her  in Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo.

Also in GT Cup, Liona Theobald made her debut at the helm of the Ginetta G56 GT4 - and emerged as one of the drivers most improved: she stepped on the podium at Snetterton, then delivered her best performance claiming a season-best of second at Silverstone, with three more podiums - which gained her the second Driver of the Weekend award.

More history was written in September, when Abbie Eaton became the first female driver in the history of the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain series to secure both pole position and an overall race victory. The Rebelleo Motorsport founder/driver delivered a stunning performance in wet conditions at the Silverstone National circuit to claim pole position overall, soon followed up by her maiden podium and ProAm victory. One day later, she went on to top herself and claimed a remarkable lights-to-flag victory.

Porsche championships set the stage for more successes in North America as well, where RAFA Racing Team shootout winner Caroline Candas, on her first international season, secured two wins and, with podiums in the double-figures, she became Porsche Sprint Challenge NA Vice-Champion in the Cayman class.

In the same category, Loni Unser enjoyed an impressive campaign, claiming six podium finishes and third place in the Cayman ProAm class after a very strong late-season run of form.

The Heart of Racing all-female duo of Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier convinced in their GT4 America season; Grisham also made headlines towards the end of the year, when she joined the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America grid for a one off at Indianapolis Motor Speedway - and took her first win in the ProAm class.

In the European GT4 Championship, the Matmut Evolution Volant 100% Féminin initiative saw Gabriela Jílková returning behind the wheel, this time teaming up with Cindy Gudet.

A former hillclimb champion, Gudet was quickly up to speed and the duo secured a podium at Le Castellet. But the Frenchwoman also deserves a mention for her quick recovery from her Hockenheim crash, where she fractured her leg. Remarkably, she returned to the car at Monza, missing no rounds and showing no loss of speed.

Liechtenstein's star Fabienne Wohlwend was part of the all-female Girls Only team in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie and part of the line up that secured third in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring - alongside more podiums in the series. At the same time, Wohlwend was among the protagonists of the Indian Racing League, where she finished third in the standings with four top-five over five races - and was the highest finishing female driver.

Gabriela Jílková also stood out in the Indian series, with four podiums and fifth in the final standings.

Célia Martin and Karen Gaillard joined the Iron Dames stable in 2024, both making their GT3 debut in the Michelin Le Mans Cup. Driving the iconic pink liveried Lamborghini, the duo was soon up to speed and Martin established herself as one of the fastest bronze-rated drivers, especially in qualifying, where she recorded a pole position. Together, they climbed the podium at Circuit Paul Ricard with a second place in only their second weekend, then had another top five in Mugello.

Martin impressed the team enough to be promoted to the main Iron Dames line up in 2025, when she will make her debut in ELMS and WEC.

Gaillard, meanwhile, also made history becoming the first ever woman to win a Porsche Junior shootout and therefore secured a seat in the 2025 Porsche Carrera Cup France.

Also a Porsche junior scholarship winner, Bulgarian Alexandra Vateva enjoyed a breakthrough season in Porsche one-make competitions in 2024: the 19 year old driver made a sensational debut in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Benelux at Spa-Francorchamps, winning both races in class and claiming the overall victory - then secured victory in the final round of the Porsche Sports Cup Deutschland, her main program. At the end of the year, Vateva became the first woman to race in the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East - and climbed the podium on her first weekend.

Having made her part-time race car debut in 2023 with two rounds in GT Cup Open Europe, Dutch racer Laura van den Hengel returned to the series for her first full-time campaign, switching from the Porsche 992 Cup car to the Ferrari 488 Challenge. Van den Hengel had a season of great progress and significantly closed in on an AM class podium - which she eventually reached in a one-off round in the Italian GT Championship at Mugello, returning to Porsche machinery.

On her second season in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe, Charlie Martin secured her first class win in the series in the Imola season opener, then continued her streak of podiums at Spa Francorchamps and Le Mans - in what was a particularly notable podium - before moving to Iron Lynx for the second part of the season, again climbed the podium at Nürburgring.

Having won all races in the GT Trophy class of GT World Challenge Australia in 2023, Renee Gracie stepped up to the main GT3 ProAm class - and did not disappoint, as she battled for the top five in most rounds, finishing with two fifth places as personal best.

In touring cars, Ana Carrasco clinched the TCR Spain title in the Cup class, in her first year in the series. It was a remarkable year for the Spanish motorcycle legend, as she also bagged the inaugural Women's Motorcycling World Championship title with four wins and 12 podiums out of 12 races. She was just as impressive on four wheels, with six Cup class podiums to her name and a win at Valencia.

Norway's Mia Rusthen also deserves a mention: the Women's Motorcycling World Championship rider suffered a very serious accident in the first race of the year that put her in a coma, but has won the most important race of her career - survived and has been recovering steadily.

In the TOCA-supporting Vertu Mini Challenge UK, Lydia Walmsley displayed her speed and maximised her results driving for her family run team; the British racer had a breakthrough campaign securing her first overall podium, a record-breaking fastest lap at Brands Hatch and often challenged the leading drivers, finishing eighth in the overall championship.

The all-electric NXT Gen Cup featured six female drivers: between returnees and rookies, Latvian Patricija Stalidzane was one of the standouts of the year, often battling for the win and the podium, which she finally clinched for the first time at Hockenheim. Her very consistent season resulted in fifth in the championship standings, with young Swede Siri Hökfelt also in the top ten.

Team Brit driver Asha Silva successfully stepped up to the Britcar Trophy Championship in 2024, driving BMW 240i in Class 2. Silva, who competes with adult autism and ADHD, fought through adversities and was crowned Rookie of the Year.

Former W Series racer Gosia Rdest returned to competitions after nearly two years, after the birth of her first daughter. The Polish driver  immediately collected two top-five finishes in the Challenger class in Barcelona, then significantly closed in on the overall top ten in Le Castellet. In the season finale at Monza, Rdest was back on the class podium.

In stockcars, ARCA traditionally represents a platform where female drivers have found considerable success. Entering her third full-time season in the series, Toni Breidinger certainly made the most progress, as the Venturini Motorsports racer finished fourth in the championship, collecting 11 top-ten finishes, and a personal best of sixth - achieved both at Berlin Raceway and at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Amber Balcaen's season was just as promising, starting with a top ten in the Daytona season opener - however her campaign was marred by an incident where she fractured her foot. While the Canadian fought through the pain and competed in all rounds, she eventually ended sixth in the championship.

One of the up-and-coming stars of stock car racing, however, was undoubtedly Isabella Robusto. The Toyota Racing Development driver contested a part time campaign in ARCA: she was sixth in her first appearance in Phoenix, fourth at Elko Speedway and claimed a stellar second place at Springfield. More outings in ARCA East and ARCA West resulted in three more top three finishes.

2024 marked Enni Mälkönen's second WRC title, following her historic WRC3 victory in 2022: navigating Sami Pajari, the Finnish co-driver also became WRC2 World Champion.

Swedish Klara Andersson stepped on the podium twice in the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2024: a second place on home soil at the opener in Höljes, and a third place in Hungary at Nyirád - where she made headlines for her brilliant use of the joker lap which allowed her to skillfully position herself between the two leaders and secure a podium position. The move gained her the Rallycross Maneuver of the Year award at the 2024 FIA prize giving gala.

Last but not least, Japanese all-female series Kyojo Cup produced again some great stories in its last year of the VITA-01 single-seater prototype, before switching to F4 machinery in 2025. Racing in her fifth season of Kyojo Cup, Aimi Saito secured the title with four wins and a second place. Miki Onaga won twice and was four times on the podium, but that wasn't enough to challenge Saito after missing the points in the Fuji finale.

Among the rookies, Itsumo Shiraishi also impressed with a sixth place to round out the season.

2024 highlighted some remarkable stories and, as the 2025 racing season quickly approaches, promises to deliver once again.