This International Women’s Day, inspire your motorist-mad mini-me to get behind the wheel of their Didicar and dream big! We have put together an inspirational read to teach young girls about the incredible women of Formula One, following the announcement that 2023 will see its first ever all-women series.
What Is Formula One?
Formula One began in 1950 and is a world-famous motorsport where different teams compete against each other in prestigious Grand Prix races.
Fun Formula One Facts For Kids
1. F1 cars accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 2.6 seconds
2. The F1 is watched by a global TV audience of more than 400 million people
3. Brake discs can reach temperatures of 1,000 degrees Celcius
4. The F1 helmet can withstand the impact of a 1.5-tonne car
5. F1 cars can drive upside down when at speed
6. The average pit-stop tyre change takes just 3 seconds
7. F1 teams can consist of up to 1,200 people, including drivers, engineers and mechanics
8. An F1 car has around 80,000 assembled components
9. F1 engines can’t start when they’re cold, so they’re always preheated
10. Shockingly, a woman hasn’t started an F1 race in 46 years
Amazing Women Of Formula One
Women have a somewhat brief history when it comes to the male-dominated sport of Formula One, but hopefully we’ll see things change this year with the launch of the new all-female driver category. For now, let’s take a look back at some of the women who made motorsport history and broke through in this exclusive boys’ club space.
Maria Terese de Filippis
Italian racing driver Maria Terese de Filippis, nicknamed ‘Little Pilot’, was the first woman to compete in a Formula One Grand Prix race back in 1958. Maria’s F1 career was short, participating in just five World Championship events, but her involvement left a lasting legacy and inspired other women to get into this traditionally patriarchal sport.
Lella Lombardi
Trailblazing racer Lella Lombardi made her Grand Prix debut in 1974 and went on to participate in 17 Grand Prix races throughout her F1 career. Lella is one of the sport’s most successful female drivers and made her name by becoming the only woman to score a World Championship point - or half point.
Desiré Wilson
Only five women have competed in Formula One over the years and from those, Desiré Wilson is the only woman to have ever won an F1 race. This impressive South African racing driver cemented her spot in the F1 record books in 1980 when she took victory at the British Aurora F1 Championship. The Brands Hatch legend now has a grandstand named after her.
Susie Wolff
Women were absent on the F1 track for 22 years before Susie Wolff came along, participating in the 2014 British Grand Prix. Scottish-born Susie was a development driver for the F1 team Williams and later retired to become the driving force behind the ‘Dare to Be Different’ initiative, motivating women to get into auto engineering. Susie says: “We have to break the notion that it’s ‘a boy’s role’.”
Stephanie Travers
In 2020, Trackside Fuel Engineer Stephanie Travers became the first black woman to stand on the F1 winner’s podium, joining Lewis Hamilton to celebrate his victory at the Styrian Grand Prix. A poignant first in the motorsport’s 70-year history. After the race, Lewis paid tribute to Stephanie on Instagram and shared his hopes that his win would inspire “children of colour that they can do it, too.” Stephanie is also involved in a Mercedes mentoring programme encouraging young women from ethnic minorities to pursue a STEM career.
Ride On Cars For Kids
Raise the checkered flag and give your little girl her first taste of freedom with her very own Didicar! This push-powered ride on toy comes in eight different colours, from racing red to Ferrari yellow. She could even jazz up her new set of wheels with our Racer Sticker Pack.
