Marta Garcia is a promising young talent and may soon be one of the first women in the Formulas. However, the path that has brought her to the limelight has been far from straightforward and easy. Getting into motorsport, under the best circumstances, is not an easy feat. Add to that its male dominance and scant opportunities for women, and it is no surprise that female appearances are rare and in-between. Fewer still are those women who sit behind the wheel and run the circuits.
Recent shifts in the mindset of fans and drivers have helped young girls pursue their interests in racing. But the journey is not simple, with problems arising from the first step. Problems that their male counterparts may never even think of.
In a talk with Puma in 2021, Garcia highlighted that Puma was one of the only companies designing race suits tailored for women. Since then, a few companies have joined the initiative. But problems like these persist in the motorsport sphere.
The biggest barrier in the world of racing has been money, time and time again. Expensive racing gear, top-of-the-line karts, and travelling for competitions are costs that cannot be borne without a sponsor. According to Garcia, it is more challenging for young girls to find sponsors because they are not seen as much of an investment as compared to young boys. Girls must go above and beyond to showcase their racing prowess to be taken as seriously as boys.
In her own words, “I know how difficult it is for a woman to grow or progress, so my main thing is to let women see that I am doing this, so I think you can do the same – you need to work, focus and just do it.”
Garcia currently competes in the F1 Academy, an initiative by F1 to support female drivers at the F4 equivalent level. In only its inaugural season, the series has received tremendous support from fans and drivers, including frequent attendee Lewis Hamilton.
Garcia leads the championship and is determined to bag the title next month in Austin. However, she views the series as a means to earn a drive in the more mainstream Formulas, F3 and F2. She believes that winning the Academy series will ensure greater engagement with younger girls and an increase in opportunities for drivers like her, who are still waiting to break onto the scene.
Despite the challenges, Garcia’s advice to young girls has remained unfailing and unchanged: just go for it. She wants to inspire the younger generation as someone who made it to the top despite the odds being stacked against her
“If you like it, do it. I am here. I am in the W-Series. If I can do it, you can do it, too.”
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