A Young Female Racer’s Voice for Equality
And the Future of Women in Motorsport
Words: Naira M
Nicole Havrda, an 18-year-old racing sensation from Comox, British Columbia, has already made history as the most successful female driver in North America’s Formula Regional Americas Championship.
Her impressive performance includes podium finishes at prestigious tracks like Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Circuit of the Americas, alongside an award for most passes during the season (Comox Valley Record, 2023). But behind her success lies a deeper conversation about the challenges women face in motorsport, challenges Havrda herself is confronting as she pursues her goal of racing in Formula 1.
Born and raised in Comox, British Columbia, Nicole Havrda discovered her passion for motorsport at a young age. She began karting at the age of 11 and quickly progressed through the ranks, displaying remarkable skill and determination. By the time she was 14, she had already transitioned to open-wheel racing, setting her sights on the highly competitive world of Formula racing.
Havrda's breakthrough moment came in 2023 when she became the first woman to win the Formula Pro USA Western FR Championship, solidifying her status as a rising star in North American motorsport. She has since earned podium finishes in the Formula Regional Americas Championship at legendary circuits like Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Circuit of the Americas. With her relentless drive and impressive track record, Havrda continues to break barriers in a sport where female representation remains limited, proving that she has the talent and resilience to compete at the highest levels.
While Havrda's talent on the track is undeniable, her career also brings to light critical issues such as the physical demands of the sport, the fight for equality in a male-dominated industry, and the pressure that comes with being a public figure in an uncompromising environment.
Racing is physically demanding, and Havrda has been open about the challenges she faces. In 2023, she suffered a neck and back injury after crashing into a wall during a practice session. Despite the pain, she continued to race through the weekend.
"I was leading the championship until (the race at) Sonoma,” said Havrda. “I had a racing incident that happened on track in qualifying… The other car in second place slowed down on the racing line. I managed to avoid him (but ended up hitting) a concrete wall at 200 km/h." (Comox Valley Record, 2023).
While Havrda’s resilience is commendable, it shows the toll that motorsport takes on its athletes, especially in high-speed environments.
In addition to physical strain, Havrda noted the mental challenges of competing at such a high level. “Driving on the track at like 90 or even 80 per cent is quite mentally tiring,” she explained, showing the mental exhaustion that comes from pushing oneself to the limit during every race (Comox Valley Record, 2023).
Motorsport has long been a male-dominated field, and Havrda has faced challenges related to gender in her climb through the ranks. However, she remains focused on breaking down those barriers. In 2023, Havrda made history by becoming the first woman to win the Formula Pro USA Western FR Championship (CBC News, 2023), a significant achievement in a sport where female drivers are still far outnumbered by male drivers.
Havrda’s journey hasn’t been easy, but she remains focused on her ultimate goal: Formula 1. "F1 is always the goal, it’s been the goal since the start,” she said (CBC News, 2023). Achieving this goal would place her among a very select group of women who have reached the top of the motorsport world, including Maria Teresa de Filippis - the first woman to enter a Formula One races, during the 1958 and 1959 seasons - and Lella Lombardi, the only female driver to score points in Formula 1, in the 1970s.
However, the path to Formula 1 remains hard, with sponsorships and opportunities harder to secure for women in the sport. In a recent interview, Havrda discussed the importance of securing sponsorships, saying, "It’s really important to get sponsors because that’s what will help bring me to Formula 1” (Nelson Star, 2023).
As Havrda’s visibility grows, so does the level of public opinions. Being a young female athlete in a high-profile sport means constant attention, not just for her racing skills, but also for her gender. Havrda has acknowledged the pressure that comes with being in the spotlight. “There’s a lot of attention on me because I’m a girl, and people want to see me fail sometimes,” she said (CBC News, 2023). Despite this, she tries to focus on what’s important, her performance on the track.
The mental toll of being constantly under public focus is a challenge faced by many athletes, especially women, who often face additional expectations regarding their appearance and behaviour. Havrda, however, has learned to block out the external noise when she’s in the car. "Once I put my helmet on, I’m just like anyone else,” she said (CBC News, 2023).
But the pressure is real, especially when she is asked to serve as a role model for young girls.
“Just because you don’t see a lot of girls doing something
doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go after it”
“I would love to see more women in the automotive industry.” she said in an interview regarding her work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (Autosphere, 2024). She hopes that her visibility will encourage other young women to pursue careers in motorsports and other areas of the automotive industry.
Beyond her racing career, Havrda is committed to promoting gender diversity in motorsports and the broader automotive industry. In March 2024, she partnered with Mercedes-Benz Canada for an event aimed at inspiring young girls to pursue careers in the automotive sector (Autosphere, 2024). As she pointed out, women are often overlooked not only as drivers but also as engineers and mechanics. “People should look at women fixing cars in the garage and think that’s super cool,” she said (CBC News, 2023).
Havrda’s advocacy is supported by experienced mentors like Lyn St. James, a former IndyCar driver who has worked to open doors for women in motorsport. St. James praised Havrda’s potential, stating, “I’m very impressed with her and her family, and I’m very high on the fact that she has incredible potential” (CBC News, 2023).
Nicole Havrda’s accomplishments to date are remarkable, but her story is far from finished. As she continues to pursue her dream of racing in Formula 1, she is not only striving to prove herself on the track but also working to ensure that the future of motorsport is more inclusive. Through her achievements, advocacy, and mentorship, Havrda is paving the way for future generations of female drivers and automotive professionals. As she prepares to race in Europe and further her career, her story remains a testament to the power of determination and the need for continued progress in creating opportunities for women in motorsport.
Naira M is a Toronto-based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the Toronto participants here
References
Berard, K. (2023, March 21). TSN airing documentary about BC female teen racing sensation. Nelson Star.
Comox Valley race car driver makes history (2023, November 9). Comox Valley Record.
Gagnon, T. (2023, May 5). Comox Valley F3 racer is most successful female driver on American circuit. Comox Valley Record.
Havrda, N. [@nicolehavrda]. (2023, April 12). I am so proud to announce that I have the privilege to become a part of Road to Racing charity - Women in Racing Scholarship. Twitter.
Hay, J. (2024, March 28). Nicole Havrda focused on F1. Autosphere.
Palmer, C. (2023, January 18). Female Island racecar driver making waves. CBC News.