Gender Is Not The Most Discriminatory Factor In Formula 1, Female Driver Sarah Bovy: It's About Money

Female racer, Sarah Bovy. (Photo: Instagram @sarah_bovy)

JAKARTA - Formula 1 is like a dream that is difficult to come true for female racers. So far, only a handful of racers from the Eve have been able to penetrate the most prestigious land jet competition in the world.

Gender is said to be a factor that discriminates against female racers to realize their dreams. However, that's not the only factor, at least that's Sarah Bovy's view.

He even considered that discrimination has nothing to do with gender. "For me, the most discriminatory factor in motorsport is not about being male or female, it's about money. It costs too much from a young age," explained the Belgian in an exclusive interview with Daily Star Sport.

For decades, racing has been considered a male-only platform. However, that assumption is slowly being eroded with the emergence of a number of female racers in several prestigious events.

Bovy himself never saw his gender as a barrier. Precisely the funding factor that makes it unable to develop for the better.

"I was not able to live a full season, join the best team, train with new tires. It's that simple. But I never considered being a female racer as an obstacle to a career in motorsport," she said.

Instead, she has the advantage of being a female racer. He admits he gets a lot of attention from the media which helps him get more sponsors.

"It's not that being a woman is an advantage, but I don't believe it's a disadvantage. I just think you have to behave in a different way at the beginning because any mistakes will be more highlighted."

Bovy has raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and competed in the inaugural season of the W Series in 2019 as a reserve driver. He is now part of the Iron Dames team which earlier this summer made it to seventh place in the LMGTE Am class in a Ferrari 488.

Earlier this month, Iron Dames made history by becoming the first women's team to reach the podium in a World Endurance Championship (WEC) race after finishing second in the LMGTE Am class at the 6 Hours of Monza. Bovy played a big role in putting his team in the leading position.