News
‘Where dreams are born’ – Sebastian Vettel on his Race4Women event
The former Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin great speaks to Alasdair Hooper on hosting his Race4Women [Challenge Me] event for women in Saudi Arabia
On a scorching Wednesday afternoon, the sun’s rays are beaming down over a karting track north of Jeddah. Friends, family and motorsport enthusiasts have gathered to watch 20 young women race around the twisty circuit – aptly named The Track – but there is one further addition to the driving line-up, and he’s a four-time F1 World Champion.
Sebastian Vettel is on a mission at this Saudi Arabian karting track. The former Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin great is hosting his Race4Women [Challenge Me] event in a bid to further develop grassroots karting in the country, and by teaching these 20 young women the principles of racing, fitness and motorsport theory.
In the days leading up to the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, also hosted in Jeddah, it’s the perfect place to showcase to these women that a potential career in motorsport is very much a possibility should they want it to be. And, let’s face it, as karting tutors go you could do a lot worse than a man who has four F1 Drivers’ titles to his name.
“We had great feedback last time,” Vettel tells me, reflecting on the initial karting event he hosted at this track back in 2021. “The handful of girls and women we were able to get together – it was a great group and a great spirit last time.
“But so much has happened. We’ve been in touch and stayed in touch with the track here, people who have supported us already the first time round. There was the idea to continue, to follow up. This time we had a lot more girls and women taking interest and a much bigger group of 20 young women and girls showing up and having the courage to get behind the wheel.”
Courage is very much the right word to describe this group of assembled racers. It can be a daunting prospect getting into a go-kart, but each of them has exactly the right dose of competitiveness and enthusiasm when the action gets going.
"This time we had a lot more girls and women taking interest and a much bigger group of 20 young women and girls showing up and having the courage to get behind the wheel."
SEBASTIAN VETTEL
On the growing popularity of the event
It also speaks of a country that has transformed significantly. As of 2018 women have been allowed to drive and, coupled with a boom in motorsport coinciding with the first Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021, that has led to more opportunities for this new generation.
“Generally Saudi is opening up and it’s great to see the next generation of girls and women speaking out their dreams, being able and being allowed to do a lot of the things their mothers weren’t able or allowed to do,” Vettel adds.
“There’s a lot of positive change in this country. Last time we celebrated the fact that women were allowed to drive, and I wanted to get an insight. This time there were a lot more topics and it was great to get into the exchange [with the karters] and I think it was a success. We had a blast, had a great time, shared a lot of stories and heard from them about why they’re passionate about racing.”
“It doesn’t get better than this. It’s a great event, the media, the friends that we got to bring and that watched us. It was really enjoyable.”
LINA HAMMADEH
After taking the top spot in the grand finale of the day
The message from Vettel since he retired from racing in Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season is simple and consistent – there is still a race to win. It’s a phrase captured on the banners around the karting track and encapsulates the social causes that the four-time World Champion has dedicated himself to help change for the better.
Here the focus is on grassroots motorsports in Saudi Arabia, as well as providing opportunities for female racers, as he’s keen to emphasize the good the sport can do.
Read the full article on F1.com...
