Formula Racing
These are the fastest young women in motorsports
Talking to Catie Munnings, Tatiana Calderón and Tamara Molinaro about what it takes to succeed in motor racing right now.
In the ever-developing world of motorsports, one of the most important changes we’ve been seeing in recent years is an increase of female drivers entering competitive racing.
Drivers like Michèle Mouton, Danica Patrick and Susie Wolff have pioneered the way for women in the paddock, transforming motorsports from the all-boys-club to an inclusive environment. Here are a few young racers that you might not know about yet, but should.
Catie Munnings – Rally
Catie Munnings is prepared for an exciting 2019
© Olaf Pignataro / Red Bull Content Pool
British Rally driver Catie Munnings had what she calls an “unconventional” childhood. It seems that from early on, she was destined to become a racing driver.
As the daughter of ex-rally driver Chris Munnings, Catie grew up riding quads and old cars around her parents’ farm, before taking to the test track with Peugeot at just 17 years of age. It was all about being in the right place at the right time, as Catie explains.
“It was a completely new world for me, and it was what the team were looking for at the time," she says. "They were looking for a complete novice that they could train with their engineers, in their way. So, then we decided we would go into the European Rally Championship and create what we called #Projectkt, which was taking a beginner straight into the ERC and follow the progress.”
It was in 2016, during her first season in rally, that Catie won the Ladies European Rally Championship in her Peugeot 208 R2, winning both of the rounds that she competed in, and in 2018 she finished 4th in ERC3. This year, Catie wants to take it to the ERC3 podium and she’s hoping to enter the WRC Rally in Wales. Now 21, Catie continues to impress on the motorsport’s scene.
“I hate not being able to do what other people can do, so I think it was probably my competitive side that encouraged me! And then I got addicted to it, I got addicted to the feeling and the adrenaline.”
Tatiana Calderón – Single-seater
Tatiana Calderón will race for Arden in GP3
© Arden International
Tatiana Calderón is a name most motorsports fans are probably aware of by now. In 2019, she was retained by Alfa Romeo Racing F1 team (formerly Sauber) as their test driver. Coming from Bogotá, Colombia, the 26-year-old’s career began when she just nine years old, racing in karting series, EasyKart, close to her hometown.
After a brief stint racing sports cars, Tatiana switched back to single-seater racing in 2012 and competed in the FIA Formula 3 European championship for three seasons, under the wing of Susie Wolff. She then moved to the GP3 series. It was a dream come true for Tatiana when Sauber approached her to join their driver development programme in 2017.
“I would say to myself all the time, especially in Colombia, are you sure you're going to get into Formula 1?. But you think to yourself, why not? That's why I wake up every morning, because I want to be an F1 driver. It’s not good to say, but I don’t care about them paying me millions, I just want to drive those cars as fast as I can and really get the chance to prove myself,” She told Formula1.com.
“That's why I'm racing GP3. I don't want to let people give me an opportunity because I'm a woman. I don't want to be taken like that. I want to be taken like who I am, as a driver. I think I have something to bring to the table, because I'm very sensitive. I think my feedback is quite good. I really want to earn my place.”
Tatiana hopes to follow in the steps of Susie Wolff, the last female driver to take part in an F1 race weekend in 2015. Will 2019 provide Tatiana’s chance to step up?
Tamara Molinaro – Rally
Tamara Molinaro
© Olaf Pignataro / Red Bull Content Pool
Born and raised in the quiet, picturesque commune of Moltrasio, Italy, Tamara Molinaro was surrounded by red-slate roofs, tranquil water and lush greenery. As ideal as this may sound to most people, Tamara always felt there was something missing – and that thing was the sound of a roaring engine. She began racing when she was 11 and gradually rose through the ranks to compete in the ERC Under 27 Junior category.
Like Catie, Tamara Molinaro is also an ERC Ladies trophy winner, taking the title in 2017 after winning four of the eight rounds on the ERC Ladies calendar, winning 40 stages along the way. The Italian racer then entered her first ever WRC race in 2018, Rally Sweden, in the WRC2 category. Again in 2019, Tamara entered Rally Sweden as part of the WRC2 championship, and currently is currently ranking 11th, whilst also competing in the ERC Junior Championship.
“I truly believe that girls can do really good in every kind of motorsport, with the right attitude, passion and dedication," Tamara told the FIA ahead of the 2018 season. "For me, the biggest quality you must have is being strong. It’s a difficult world and you have to be ready for everything. Everyone needs to understand you just want to be respected as everyone else. I like to see girls involved in rallying when they are just themselves, simply loving and respecting the sport.”
Loving the sport is what fuels Tamara, that's why she continues fighting for a place on the WRC2 championship.
