Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
A single lap around the Formula One street circuit in Singapore typically takes only about two minutes and six seconds to complete.
However, it has been a staggering 50 years since a woman competed at this elite level of motorsport racing.
Enter 15-year-old Singaporean Kareen Kaur, who for the past six years has been driven by an unwavering ambition to qualify for a Formula One (F1) race – a feat achieved by only five women in the sport’s history.
Kareen has already made a mark by becoming the first female driver from Singapore to compete in Formula Four (F4), a crucial stepping stone for racers transitioning from karting to professional motorsport.
“It’s an honour, but also a responsibility. I carry … the hope of many young girls who dream big,” Kareen said.
“There’s pressure, but I use it positively. It reminds me that I’m not just driving for myself; I’m representing a whole new chapter for Singapore motorsport.”
Driven by passion
Kareen discovered her passion for racing after trying go-karting.
“From the first time I got into a go-kart, I felt free. I really enjoyed the feeling of going fast. Even at nine, I knew this wasn’t just a hobby. I wanted to keep chasing that feeling of being free,” the teen recalled.
Kareen has achieved several milestones including a second-place finish in the first round of the ROK Cup Malaysia last June and top 10 finishes in both events she raced in during the F4 India series last July.
Most recently, she was recognised as the top female driver in the ROK Cup Singapore 2024 Championship, which concluded last September.
“My next focus would be the … Southeast Asia F4 races,” she shared.
Homework, training and life at high speeds
Kareen’s dedication to motorsports entails a demanding routine that balances racing with homework assignments.
“It’s about discipline – finishing homework on flights, studying in between races and having supportive teachers who understand how much this means to me and helping me when I return to school,” she said.
Since Singapore does not have an F4 track, Kareen goes to Zhuhai in China every month to train in the Asia Racing Team.
Besides these monthly sessions, she also trains five to six days a week. Her routine includes cardio exercises, neck and core strengthening, reflex drills and time on a simulator. This preparation is crucial for enduring the extreme g-force experienced in an F4 car.
Outside racing, Kareen enjoys shopping as it allows her to spend time with her mother, who is a teacher. She cherishes any moments of living life like a regular teenager. But these are sacrifices she is willing to make as every lap brings her closer to her goal.
“That’s how you grow – by challenging yourself at the highest level,” she said.
