Last week, Abbi Pulling and Aseel Al-Hamad made history as they became the first women to drive F1 cars in Saudi Arabia.
It has been four years since the ban on female drivers was lifted and this demonstration marks a huge shift in female representation in Saudi.
In a demonstration championed by Alpine and the Saudi Tourism Authority, Pulling and Al-Hamad drove around the city of Riyadh and through some of the Kingdom’s most important landmarks including Diriyah and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The two drivers were able to try out the E20, which was designed and produced by Lotus for the 2012 F1 season.
Abbi Pulling
Abbi Pulling is currently a W Series driver and will compete this year with Racing X in her first full time season. The 19 year old was also announced earlier this year as a member of the Alpine Affiliate programme. This programme acts as a feeder series into the Alpine academy which will hopefully guide her into a full time F1 career. Just one day before her nineteenth birthday, Pulling’s first taste of F1 machinery did not disappoint.
“I got my first experience of an F1 car last weekend and it was everything I was expecting, and more. I started racing when I was just eight years old, always with the goal of reaching Formula 1, and I am so pleased to have got that little bit closer. It is very important for the industry to encourage and support young, female talents to achieve their ambitions.”
Abbi Pulling
Aseel Al-Hamad
Aseel Al-Hamad represents Saudi Arabia for the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission and became the first female board member of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation. No stranger to taking a stand, in 2018 – following the ban being lifted on women driving – Al-Hamad performed a victory lap prior to the French Grand Prix, to celebrate the coming prospects for female Saudi drivers and racers.
Within her current role in the FIA and on the board, Aseel is leading the promotion of the education and training of women in motorsport in Saudi Arabia and hopes this demonstration will help inspire the next generation.
“With having Formula 1 in Saudi and in Jeddah, for sure so many will fall in love with the sport, and for sure so many will consider it as a career.”
“It is important that we showcase examples to demonstrate to the younger generation that it can be them in the future; it doesn’t matter your gender; you need to show your talent. I will be cheering for them and opening the doors and hopefully we will see them on podiums in the near future.”
Aseel Al-Hamad
Inspiring the next generation
The organisers of this event – Alpine and the Saudi Tourism Authority – have a shared motivation and passion in hoping to inspire the next generation to pursue their dreams.
The CEO of Alpine F1 team, Laurent Rossi is proud that his team have lead the way in demonstrating their commitment to diversity and inclusion within motorsport. Through supporting and championing this event, Alpine have highlighted themselves as using their platform to make a positive impact and elicit change.
“The statement of having two women driving an F1 car through the capital of Saudi Arabia, past treasured historic monuments and into the heart of the city, shows that anyone with enough drive can follow their dreams in motorsport. Aseel shows that women of all backgrounds are welcome [in motorsport], while Abbi demonstrates motorsport is a genuine career path for women”
Laurent Rossi
The CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamidaddin is also proud of the steps that have been taken in increasing the level of inclusion and equality. Hamidaddin also noted the more personal reason for having such a passion about making a change.
“Saudi is a destination that is welcoming to everyone and inclusive of all.”
“As a father of two daughters myself, it is a pleasure to join with Alpine on this landmark initiative and inspire women from all walks of life to follow their dreams wherever they may lead. And, more importantly, to support them in making their dreams reality.”
Fahd Hamidaddin