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, whose unwavering ambition to qualify for a Formula One (F1) race has driven her for the past six years – 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
In F4, where cars are limited to about 160 horsepower, she understands that she must excel in Formula Three and Formula Two before reaching her ultimate goal of becoming an F1 driver.
Since the inception 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 made it to a grand prix, highlighting the challenges women face in this male-dominated sport, including stereotypes, discrimination and prohibitive competition costs.
Potential sponsors may hesitate to invest in female motorsport athletes due to the scarcity of women in the highest ranks.
Kareen’s journey mirrors that of Lombardi, the only woman to score points in the world championship standings. They both discovered their passions 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.
Since Kareen discovered her love for racing, her parents have encouraged her passion wholeheartedly.
Since then, Kareen has achieved several milestones including a second-place finish in the first round of the ROK Cup Malaysia in June and top 10 finishes in both events she raced in during the F4 India series in July.
Most recently, she was recognised as the top female driver in the ROK Cup Singapore 2024 Championship, which concluded in September.
“My next focus would be the 2026 [F4] UAE [Championship] and Southeast Asia F4 races,” she shared.
Homework, training and life at high speeds
Born and raised in Singapore, Kareen is the eldest of three sisters – all of them are athletes. Her middle sister is a medal-winning wrestler, while the youngest aspires to be a track and field athlete.
Kareen’s dedication to motorsports entails a demanding routine that balances racing and homework assignments.
“After a race weekend, I sometimes land back in Singapore with assignments due the next day,” she said.
“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.”
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 trains five to six days a week. Her routine includes cardio exercises, neck and core strengthening, reflex drills and time on the simulator. This physical preparation is crucial for enduring the extreme g-forces experienced in an F4 car.
“During long races, your head feels like it’s being pulled sideways by gravity,” she explained.
“I train with resistance bands and go to the gym to build strength and stamina.”
Even when she is in excellent physical condition, the teenager admits that racing alongside experienced male drivers can be intimidating.
But she has learned to stay focused by blocking out negativity. She draws inspiration from F1 driver Max Verstappen’s mental toughness and controlled aggression.
“He is confident, focused and determined, and I try to bring that same mindset – pushing hard, but with precision and control,” she said.
Kareen dreams of one day racing against him.
“Competing against the best would show me exactly where I stand and how far I can go. That’s how you grow – by challenging yourself at the highest level,” 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.
While people only see one driver, Kareen credits the support system behind her.
“There’s an entire crew – engineers, mechanics, coaches – all pushing together for one goal. When you cross the line, you feel everyone’s effort in that moment,” Kareen shared, adding that her team also included her family, who sacrificed a great deal of time and finances to support her dream.
Outside of racing, Kareen enjoys shopping as it allows her to spend time with her mother, who is a teacher. She particularly cherishes any moments of living life like a regular teenager. But this is a sacrifice she is willing to make because every lap brings her closer to her goal.
