The racetrack isn’t exactly the first space that comes to mind when you think of Black women thriving. This is partly because, for most of motorsport’s long and exclusive history, we were never meant to be there. And while the presence of Black women in motorsport is growing, they remain significantly underrepresented across all levels of the sport.

The Hamilton Commission’s research to improve Black people’s participation in UK motorsport found that Black women were less likely to believe they could work in motorsport, even if they wanted to. Key barriers included a sense that they “won’t fit in”, a lack of knowledge and understanding about how to get into the industry, and a lack of relatable role models.

Despite these and other obstacles, some Black women are creating their own spaces in the paddock, the pit lane, and beyond. They are challenging long-held assumptions about who belongs in motorsport and inspiring the next generation of Black women in the sport.