Aseel Hamad: Shifting Gears—The Trailblazing Journey of Saudi Arabia’s First Female Racer

Against a background where racing circuits once seemed off-limits to women, Aseel Hamad transformed a personal love for speed and design into a groundbreaking motorsport career. Her journey is far more than the story of a lone racer; it’s a chronicle of Saudi Arabia’s social evolution, the powerful promise of female empowerment, and a living testament to how one woman can spark generational change—even before Saudi women were legally allowed to drive.

The Girl Who Chose the Fast Lane

As a child in Riyadh, Aseel’s eyes shone with wonder as she watched model race cars dart across the living room floor. But her world—like that of every Saudi girl at the time—drew a sharp line between dreams and reality. While her peers imagined wedding dresses, Aseel collected car posters and convinced her family to let her take driving lessons in Dubai. That small act of rebellion set her on a path that would reshape the racing landscape forever.

Aseel Hamad’s Trailblazing Highlights

• First Saudi woman to drive a Formula 1 car: Piloted a Renault E20 at the French Grand Prix in 2018, marking the historic end of Saudi Arabia’s female driving ban.

• Pioneer in automotive leadership: First female board member of the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation.

• International ambassador: Saudi representative at the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, championing inclusion and equal opportunity for women worldwide.

• Award-winning mentor: Recognized with the 2018 National Driver’s Award and served as lead mentor for Saudi women’s sports driving clubs and safe-driving initiatives.

• Jury member: Appointed to the global Women’s World Car of the Year panel.

• Entrepreneur-designer: Founder and owner of IDegree Design; merges engineering insight with creative vision.

• Automotive icon: First Saudi woman to own, import, and drive a Ferrari—long before laws allowed her to register it in her name.

A Lap That Changed History

June 24, 2018—the lifting of the driving ban. Aseel, now a role model for a rising generation, becomes the first Saudi woman to circle the world-famous Paul Ricard circuit in a Formula 1 car. Her lap is more than a celebration; it’s an international signal that Saudi women are ready for the fast lane, both literally and metaphorically. Aseel’s fearless drive inspires thousands of women to join clubs, attend motoring events, and seek roles not only as drivers but as engineers, managers, and media leaders.

How Aseel Redefined Saudi Women’s Role

• Served as advisor and mentor for national and international female racing development programs.

• Co-founded supercar tourism company (STEER), making Saudi landscapes accessible through curated driving events.

• Represented Saudi women in global campaigns for brands like Renault and Jaguar, contributing to cultural shifts and broader acceptance of women in high-profile public roles.

• Helped create pathways for women’s advancement in Saudi sport federations beyond competition—into coaching, administration, and technical fields.

Comparison Table: Aseel Hamad vs. Saudi Female Motorsport Pioneers

National Impact and Turning Points

• Symbolized the removal of barriers for Saudi women—not only behind the wheel, but across professions.

• Participation in high-profile global events triggered policy changes, accelerated gender representation goals, and redefined female agency in the automotive industry.

• Inspired generational change: more Saudi girls and women now see racing as a viable career or hobby.

• Helped erase stereotypes, positioning Saudi women as confident, capable, and tech-savvy motorsport participants.

Aseel Hamad’s path from a design graduate to an internationally recognized racing symbol marks a generational transformation for Saudi women, motorsport culture, and broader social attitudes. Her victories—on track and off—send a powerful message: with determination, strategic vision, and passion, there are no speed limits on what women can achieve in the Middle East and beyond. In the tire tracks she’s left, an entire movement races forward.