A single lap around the Formula One street circuit in Singapore usually takes about two minutes and six seconds to finish. However, it has been 50 years since a woman raced at this high-level motorsport.
Meet 15-year-old Kareen Kaur from Singapore. She has a dream of racing in a Formula One (F1) event. For the last six years, she has worked hard to make this dream come true, something that only five women have done in the history of the sport.
Kareen has already made a name for herself by being the first female driver from Singapore to race in Formula Four (F4). This is an important step for drivers moving from karting to professional racing.
“It’s an honour, but also a responsibility I carry ... the hope of many young girls who dream big,” Kareen said.
Driven by passion
Since the start of the Formula One World Championship in 1950, only five women have ever entered an F1 race.
Among them, only Maria Teresa de Filippis and Lella Lombardi raced in a grand prix, showing the difficulties women face in this mostly male sport.
Kareen’s story is similar to Lombardi’s, the only woman to earn points in the world championship. They both found their love 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.
Homework at high speeds
Kareen grew up in Singapore and is the oldest of three sisters. All of them are athletes. Her middle sister is a wrestler who has won medals, and the youngest wants to be a track and field athlete.
Kareen works hard at motorsports and has a busy schedule that includes both racing and homework.
“After a race weekend, I sometimes land back in Singapore with assignments due the next day,” she said.
Since Singapore doesn’t have an F4 racing programme, Kareen travels to Zhuhai, China, every month to train with the Asia Racing Team. In addition to her monthly sessions, she trains about five to six days a week. Her routine includes cardio workouts, exercises for her neck and core, reflex drills and time on machines designed to provide a realistic imitation of the controls and operation of a vehicle.
This training is very important for handling the strong forces of gravity felt in an F4 car.
“During long races, your head feels like it’s being pulled sideways by gravity,” she explained.
Even when she is in great shape, the teenager says that racing with experienced male drivers can be scary. But she has learned to stay focused by ignoring negativity.
She looks up to F1 driver Max Verstappen for his strong mind and calm confidence.
“He is confident, focused and determined, and I try to bring that same mindset – pushing hard, but with precision and control,” she said.
Like many F1 racers, Kareen has developed a personal style that she carries with her onto every circuit.
“My initials ‘KK’ are shaped into a butterfly. You can find a butterfly motif on all of my helmets. I feel that the butterfly is my lucky symbol as whenever I race, even
in different countries, a butterfly will always visit me,” she shared.
When Kareen is not racing, she likes to go shopping with her mum, who is a teacher. She really enjoys having fun like a normal teenager.
But this is a sacrifice she is willing to make because every lap brings her closer to her goal.
