The rise of female drivers in the Middle East

The Middle East has witnessed a shift in its motorsporting culture over the last decade: women have entered the paddock - starting engines, setting records, and changing perceptions on and off the track.

Partly due to a growing focus on diversity and inclusion, along with a cultural reawakening across parts of the region, and pressure from the international community, female drivers are no longer an anomaly. They've become role models and living proof of what happens when opportunity meets passion.

Motorsport’s evolution in the Middle East

In the past, structural, legal, and cultural barriers made it extremely difficult, and in some places impossible, for women to take part in motorsport. Driving itself was restricted in countries like Saudi Arabia until 2018, leaving any kind of formal racing career out of reach. Rightly so, activists and organisers focused on changing these restrictions were not looking directly at motorsport, but the industry became a part of changing structures in unexpected ways. 

As governments across the Gulf and beyond have begun opening up pathways for women in sport, and as motorsport has grown in popularity and investment (thanks in part to Formula One’s expansion into the region), women stepped into the spotlight of both the industry and the region.

From karting to circuit racing, women in the Middle East are now carving out their space and rewriting the narrative. They’re not just as drivers, but also engineers, team managers, commentators, marketers, and motorsport entrepreneurs.

Women leading the way

Several standout figures are helping to redefine motorsport culture in the Middle East and inspiring the next generation of talent:

Reema Juffali (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia’s first female professional racing driver, Reema made headlines in 2019 when she competed in the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY in Riyadh. Her presence marked a historic moment, for Saudi women, but also for the motorsport world at large. Today, she competes internationally and has launched her own racing team, Theeba Motorsport, with a focus on supporting emerging Saudi talent.

Amna and Hamda Al Qubaisi (UAE)

Sisters from the UAE with racing in their blood, Amna and Hamda are making waves in Formula 4 and beyond. Amna became the first Emirati woman to compete in Formula E’s rookie test, and both sisters have been part of F1 Academy’s push for more female representation in the sport (which people have now seen in the Netflix documentary F1: The Academy). Their growing international profiles show what’s possible when talent is met with access.

Noof Al-Hammadi (Qatar)

A mechanical engineer and rally driver, Noof represents another crucial layer of diversity in motorsport: women in technical and off-road disciplines. She’s a vocal advocate for women in STEM and motorsport, bridging the gap between technology and racing, and changing perspectives in both women’s place in driving and women’s contribution to innovation.

Why female drivers in the Middle East matter

The rise of female drivers in the Middle East is more than a shiny racing story. It represents a cultural shift with far-reaching impact.

1. Representation fuels participation: When women and girls see someone like them on the track, it expands their sense of what’s possible for themselves, in sport and in life.

2. New voices empowered: The visibility of Middle Eastern women in high-performance roles gives them a say on the complex narratives about their lives. Rather than relying on others’ assessments, you can now hear from the actual people in the centre of the story.

3. Economic and social growth: Motorsport is a growing industry in the Gulf, and tapping into the full potential of the population, which includes women, is critical for innovation and sustainability in the long-run.

4. Shaping inclusive futures: With brands, sponsors, and international bodies like the FIA supporting inclusion efforts, the rise of female drivers in the Middle East offers a roadmap for how regional identity and global progress can move in tandem.

   
   

Driving ever forward

There’s still progress to be made - in the Middle East and everywhere else. Access to funding, equipment, and consistent pathways into elite racing remain challenges for many aspiring female drivers. But the engine is now running.

As motorsport continues to evolve in the Middle East, the presence of women behind the wheel will move away from being a novelty and into the standard. It's a signal that the track is changing and the future of racing in the region is wide open. Empowered to drive their own stories forward, we look forward to seeing and hearing more from these women.