Accelerating Inclusion: Breaking Barriers in Motorsport

Motorsport has long been perceived as an elite pursuit, accessible primarily to those with substantial financial resources. The high costs of vehicles, track access, and inevitable repairs create formidable entry barriers, fostering criticism that the sport lacks diversity and inclusivity.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

However, in recent years, governing bodies, teams, and organizations have launched targeted initiatives to broaden participation, particularly among women and underrepresented groups. These efforts—spanning scholarships, mandatory gender-balanced lineups, and grassroots programs—signal a shift toward a more equitable future, though challenges like funding and geographic disparities persist.

Empowering Women on the Track

Women remain significantly underrepresented in motorsport, comprising just 10% of global participants across all levels, according to a 2023 More Than Equal report. This figure drops sharply in higher tiers: from 13% in karting to 7% in Formula and GT racing, and a mere 4% among top talents. Off-track roles fare slightly better but still lag; in Formula 1, women held 37% of jobs in 2023, up from 28% in 2018, though team-specific disparities persist—Mercedes reported 13% female staff, Red Bull just 6%.

Pioneering foundations are driving change. More Than Equal, co-founded in 2022 by former F1 driver David Coulthard and entrepreneur Karel Komárek, aims to nurture the first female F1 world champion through data-driven development. In 2024, it launched its inaugural driver program, selecting six teenage talents (aged 13-14) from countries including Australia, Austria, and the UK for tailored coaching focused on gender-specific physiology and tactics. The initiative also released a free Driver Development Guide in partnership with F1 Academy and Well HQ, emphasizing menstrual cycle impacts on performance.

Series like Extreme E and its successor, Extreme H (debuting in 2025 with hydrogen-powered vehicles), mandate mixed-gender teams, ensuring equal driving duties. This policy has yielded tangible results: the average performance gap between male and female drivers narrowed by 70% over four seasons, from 4.5 seconds per lap in 2021 to 1.1 seconds in 2024. In Season 4, female drivers closed the gap by an additional 36.5%, with Andretti’s Catie Munnings finishing third-fastest overall in Saudi Arabia. Extreme E’s 2024 format revisions further balanced starting opportunities, while its workforce achieved nearly 50% female representation.

F1 Academy, launched in 2023, has boosted female entries in junior formulas: F4 saw a 105% surge in 2023 and another 40% in 2024, with 50 women competing across 20 series. Champion Marta García earned a fully funded seat in Formula Regional European Championship for 2024, highlighting pathways for progression. Complementary programs like FIA’s Girls on Track and Dare to be Different continue to inspire, with UK motorsport engineering enrollment for women doubling in the past five years.

Despite these advances, parity remains elusive. Female careers average 1-5 years versus over 10 for males, often due to funding biases and lack of role models. Initiatives must scale to sustain momentum.

Overcoming Financial Hurdles

Cost is the sport’s most insidious barrier, especially at the grassroots level. Karting—the typical entry point—can exceed $200 per tire set (lasting one weekend) and tens of thousands annually for competitive seasons, excluding travel and coaching. This disproportionately excludes youth from deprived areas, perpetuating homogeneity.

Targeted scholarships are countering this. The FIA’s 2022 Engineering Scholarship covers full tuition and living costs for underrepresented talents, with 2023 recipient Jesica Salvini pursuing an MSc in Advanced Motorsport Engineering at Cranfield University. In the US, Parella Motorsports Holdings’ Powering Diversity Scholarship provides grants, mentorship, and exposure for underrepresented karting drivers, enabling transitions like Hannah Greenemeier’s to Formula 4. Radford’s “Karts to Cars” and VMB Driver Development offer similar pathways, blending funding with coaching.

The FIA’s “Arrive & Drive” platform, rolled out in 2023, partners with tracks for low-cost rental karting events, supported by €121,000 in global grants for diversity projects. Clubs could adopt tiered incentives—much like seasonal promotions in other leisure sectors—tailoring discounts by demographics to widen access without diluting quality.

F1 Academy subsidizes €150,000 per driver annually, easing progression, though full sponsorship remains crucial. Broader investment, including from brands like PUMA and DHL, is vital to dismantle these walls.

Fostering Broader Diversity

While international teams lend global flair, domestic scenes often lack ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity (D4D), marking its 20th year in 2024, exemplifies holistic inclusion by targeting minorities and women for driving, ownership, crew, and sponsorship roles. Graduates like Rajah Caruth (2024 Truck Series winner, third Black driver to claim a national victory) and Kyle Larson (first D4D alum to win a Cup championship) underscore its impact; four participants secured national wins in 2024 alone. The 2024 class, including debuts by Lanie Buice and LaQuan McCoy Jr., competes in ARCA and Weekly Series, with Ally Financial sponsoring awards to amplify visibility.

In the UK, participation has grown steadily. Sport England’s data shows motor sports engagement rising to 73,300 in 2023 (from ~122,200 in 2015-16), with urban hubs like Manchester (+26%) and Birmingham (+62%) leading. Motorsport UK’s 2023 licenses hit 68,764, up 11% year-over-year, though paid categories dipped slightly amid economic pressures. The challenge lies in extending this to rural “satellite towns” via subsidized local events.  A great example of this can be found in the world of bingo promotions, particularly with their seasonal offers. These involve not just one, but a range of incentives with differing prize structures and time frames. Thus, it caters to a wider group of players. This could be done with karting clubs: personalizing and framing offers that lower the barrier for entry, but specifically tailored for given needs and demographics.

A Rising Tide: Global Growth and Future Horizons

The US exemplifies motorsport’s surging appeal, fueled by Netflix’s *Drive to Survive* and three Grands Prix. F1 fandom reached 52 million in 2024, up 10% from 2023, with 70% of Gen Z engaging daily and 73% eyeing live attendance. ESPN viewership averaged 1.1 million per race (1.2 million in 2025), tying 2023 highs, while total attendance hit 6.5 million globally—a record, with Silverstone drawing 480,000.

Yet, sustained diversity requires addressing root issues: equitable funding, cultural shifts, and data-driven outreach. As Coulthard notes, “To enact lasting change, we must invest early and differently.” With initiatives like F1’s Diversity Charter and FIA grants, the sport is accelerating toward inclusivity—proving that when barriers fall, talent rises for all.