“Oh, so you’re a Lando Norris fan?” The Challenges of Being a Female F1 Fan

Despite women making up over 40 per cent of Formula One fans, there is still a predictable line of questioning when telling someone you enjoy the sport. It usually starts with, ‘Is it because you watched Drive to Survive?’, the reality-style Netflix show following the sport. For me, the answer is yes, and then comes the inevitable, ‘Oh, so you’re a Lando Norris fan?’

From just these two questions, most women who enjoy the sport are dismissed as knowing nothing about it — only interested because of the dramatisation in Drive to Survive and staying for the attractive drivers. This casual, dismissive call-out is often made by some male fan who feels entitled to the sport, and for me, it ends with a desperate attempt to justify why I enjoy it. For many female F1 fans, it’s difficult to feel comfortable being open about our passion without fearing we’ll be asked to answer obscure questions about a team principal’s middle name to prove our knowledge.

But it isn’t just comments online or awkward conversations — F1 has systemic issues when it comes to the inclusion of women. I don’t have room here to list every example of a driver making a questionable comment about their wife or a grid girl, but comments made by Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal and CEO have stuck with me. In 2022, as Drive to Survive’s success was taking off, Horner commented, “F1 is bringing in a younger generation. It’s bringing in a lot of young girls because of all these great-looking drivers.” The dismissal of women as sports fans by someone who profits from the influx of new fans demonstrates just how entrenched sexist attitudes are in the sport.

The rapid rise in the number of female F1 fans has undoubtedly caused changes within the sport, but they’re changes that should be embraced — not only for the sake of diversity but also for F1’s further expansion. With female fans comes interest from talented female engineers; this season, Laura Mueller at Haas will be the first-ever female race engineer. Initiatives like F1 Academy should also mean that we see more women rise through the karting ranks to reach the peak of motorsport eventually. Teams have also taken the opportunity to expand beyond their often basic team uniform merchandise to collaborate with brands like Hollister on stylish clothing, not to mention the world of F1 influencers who keep the sport interesting even during the long off-season and break down the barriers to entry for fans. 

The idea that female fans dramatise the sport or overestimate the friendships and rivalries between the drivers is also a false representation. I’m not sure that the snide remarks in interviews, unfollowing each other on social media, and sitting at opposite ends of the dinner table between Mercedes driver George Russell and current champion Max Verstappen suggests that the sport — or the men in it — aren’t dramatic enough on their own. Rivalries, both on and off the track, are an undeniable part of the sport, and it’s often these tensions that fuel the narratives of F1. 

What’s more, teams themselves create content that leans into these dynamics, reminiscent of the boyband-style content that became so popular in the 2010s. This kind of content is designed to cultivate a dedicated fanbase, which ultimately benefits the teams. Female F1 fans should not be ridiculed for consuming, enjoying, or even amplifying this content. It’s a testament to the evolving fan culture in the sport — one that embraces fandom in all its forms and recognises the influence that diverse fans can bring to the table.

So, yes, more women becoming F1 fans does change things, but no one should feel pressured to justify their interest in a sport the way female fans often do. To state the obvious: it's entirely possible to find drivers attractive and have a genuine passion for the sport. Having a bookmarked Charles Leclerc edit doesn't erase your knowledge of DRS. Fandom can be multifaceted — driven by both the thrill of the sport and the personalities that make it exciting. Women have a place in all aspects of F1 and should never be belittled in any of them.

Image from Wikimedia Commons