Claire‍ Dubbelman Shatters glass Ceiling as First Female F1 Deputy Race Director

⁢ Updated June‍ 01, 2025
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Claire Dubbelman is blazing trails in Formula 1, becoming the ⁣first female deputy⁤ race director. This Dutchwoman’s journey to the pinnacle of⁣ motorsport was ⁢fueled by a ‍lifelong passion,cultivated since childhood alongside ⁢her journalist father.

Dubbelman’s career began in grassroots racing, where she handled diverse responsibilities from hotel bookings to press releases. She⁢ recalls drivers sharing their F1 dreams, ⁢a sentiment she echoed, stating her ‍ambition was⁤ to contribute outside the car.

Now, Dubbelman is ⁤one of 91 women at the FIA, representing 32% of its workforce.‍ The FIA reported that nearly half of these women held senior positions as of‍ December 2024, highlighting a growing female presence⁣ in leadership roles.

However, her path wasn’t without obstacles. Dubbelman recounted an early ⁢career experience where a racetrack CEO questioned her ability to negotiate a contract,underscoring the challenges young women face in motorsport.

She noted ‍that being both⁢ young ⁤and female presented unique hurdles, including⁤ bias and‍ catcalling, ‍particularly in lower racing categories.⁢ Dubbelman emphasized⁣ the importance of resilience in overcoming these challenges.

Several F1 teams have reported⁢ increases in female employees. Mercedes saw an increase from 12% to 17.9% ⁢between 2021 ⁢and 2024, while McLaren rose from 13% to 20%, ⁤and Alpine from 11% to 14%.

“They⁢ used to say:‍ ‘What is it you want to do?’ And I ⁣said: ‘I also want to go to Formula 1,you just⁤ want to do it in the car and I’ll do it out of the car,'” Dubbelman said.

Dubbelman hopes Formula 1 continues to foster an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives.

What’s ⁢next

Dubbelman aims to continue promoting inclusivity within Formula 1, advocating for a ⁤welcoming environment that values diverse perspectives in the paddock, further solidifying the role of women in motorsport.