AD DIRIYAH: Eighteen-year-old Emirati racing driver Amna Al Qubaisi has become the first Arab woman to participate in a Formula E test last weekend. The first-ever female Emirati racing driver joined the premier league of female racing talent on the street circuit of Ad Diriyah in the fully electric motor cars. One of the most exciting and competitive line-ups of female drivers ever seen in motorsport, the event held more importance by the fact that legislation allowing women to drive in the country was only announced this year.
Qubaisi took her place in the Kaspersky Lab sponsored Envision Virgin Racing Team Formula E car in the morning session, however, hit a barrier with the rear wheel of the cal, sidelining her afternoon testing efforts. She was joined by Tatiana Calderon, Carmen Jorda, Beitske Visser, Katherine Legge and Simona de Silvestro- holder of the fastest time of all female drivers. Daughter of Le Mans racing driver Khaled Al Qubaisi, Amna said the test was “a dream come true”. She said, “I'm very proud to be representing women in general and especially Arabian women. This year, thanks to Kaspersky Lab, I became the first Arab female driver in Formula 4 and now, I am the first in Formula E. I hope that my experience will serve as an inspiration to other young Arab women wanting to drive. It was a momentous occasion that I am ever grateful to Kaspersky Lab for. The company's continued support allows me to chase my goal of racing professionally.”
The UAE-born driver had begun karting at the age of 13, going on to win the UAE Rotax Max Challenge Championship. Aldo Fucelli Pessot del Bo, Head of Global Partnerships and Sponsorships at Kaspersky Lab said, “This could be a seminal moment for female motorsport. For too long, in order to Amna Al Qubaisi become first Arab woman to take part in Formula E be a successful racing driver, you have had to be skilled, determined, competitive, brave, and physically fit, but more importantly, you have had to be a man. Gender does not determine speed and Kaspersky Lab firmly believes that female and male racing drivers should compete against one another on equal terms and be given the same opportunities.”
He added, “We are proud to sponsor Amna Al Qubaisi, who at 18 is showing all the hallmarks of becoming a racing great and was the youngest female racer on the track in Saudi Arabia. We have to thank Sylvain Filippi and the whole Envision Virgin Racing team who did not hesitate to give her this opportunity.”
