34 Sports Issue 12 July 2024 The RGS Gazette Road to F1: The Al Qubaisi Sisters The world of singleseater motorsport has been thriving for over a century, and Formula 1 has attracted fans from all corners of the globe. However, even in the 21st century, much of singleseater motorsport remains entirely maledominated, with comparatively little opportunity or sponsorship being provided for women in racing. However, the Al Qubaisi sisters, hailing from the UAE, have sought to disrupt this trend with their success in Formula 4 and the newly established F1 Academy, becoming symbols of change and progress in the sport. Amna Al Qubaisi made history in 2018 as she became the first Arab woman to ever win a singleseater race. Her historic victory came at Yas Marina Circuit in the UAE Formula 4 Championship and was immediately regarded as a significant moment in the sport, cementing her status as a trailblazer for women in racing across the Arab world. Her career has mostly been spent within the realm of Formula 4, although Amna was also selected to become part of a test program for Formula E in 2018, once again becoming the first Middle Eastern woman to do so. Hamda Al Qubaisi is the younger of the two sisters, but she has already left a significant impression in the world of youth motorsport. At the age of just 18, Hamda became the first woman to achieve a podium finish in Italian Formula 4—a prestigious series intended to showcase the talent of junior drivers, several of whom have since graduated onto the F1 grid. Much of Hamda’s early career was spent at Prema Racing, with the Emirati driver having debuted for the team in 2019. However, it was in 2021 that she attained her historic podium in Europe, finishing just behind Ferrari F1 reserve driver Oliver Bearman at the Misano World Circuit. Both Al Qubaisi sisters signed with MP Motorsport for the inaugural season of F1 Academy—a relatively new, F4level competition intended to increase female participation in the highest tiers of motorsport. In most F4 competitions, the driver is expected to subsidize most of the cost of the car, which presents a problem particularly for female drivers, as it is comparatively difficult to find sponsorship. Indeed, Amna remarked in February that “going into a team being the only girl and the only Arabic person, sometimes I’m the least prioritized driver.” The reluctance of teams to provide the sisters with sufficient testing time in Europe, combined with a lack of funding, almost brought a halt to their ambitions. However, F1 Academy, a new initiative in which much of the cost of the car is subsidized by the Formula 1 company itself, has provided the Al Qubaisis with a new opportunity to thrive on the circuit, as part of a 15member, womenonly grid. Their impressive performances, including a thirdplace overall finish for Hamda, earned them both a position in the Red Bull Academy Programme for the 2024 season. The effect of the two sisters on the world of Middle Eastern motorsport must not be understated. Upon starting their careers in domestic karting championships, the Al Qubaisis encountered much opposition from parts of their society and even from within their own family. As noted by Hamda, there prevailed an attitude which stipulated that women were “not supposed to be doing” racing. However, their resilience and excellence on the circuit have created a precedent for many girls in the UAE to pursue their interests in maledominated fields, whether that be in sport or in education. Hamda noted earlier this year that their journey has involved “not just breaking boundaries but creating opportunities,” and that encouraging Emirati families to support their daughters throughout these ventures is one of the most crucial steps in widening female participation across motorsport. With the 2024 season reaching its midway point, there is no doubt that the Al Qubaisi sisters have established themselves as both talented drivers and pioneers for the next generation of Emirati motorsport participants. Aydın AslamDenn (Year 12) explores the story of the Al Qubaisi sisters in F1 Academy Al Qubaisi Sisters before F4 Abu Dhabi GP (2020) Hamda Al Qubaisi representing Red Bull (2024)
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