Renault marks Saudi female law change with F1 run
Renault marked the lifting of Saudi Arabia's women driving ban by inviting Aseel Al-Hamad to drive a Lotus Formula 1 car at Paul Ricard ahead of the French Grand Prix.
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
As part of a pre-race 'passion parade' that featured several cars from Renault's varied motorsport history, Saudi Arabian Motorsport Federation board member Al-Hamad completed a lap of the circuit in Kimi Raikkonen's Abu Dhabi-winning E20 in Renault colours.
It was the first time a Saudi Arabian has driven an F1 car, and arranged to coincide with the kingdom finally overturning the world's only ban on female motorists on Sunday, June 24.
Al-Hamad, who is also a member of the FIA's Women in Motorsport Commission, prepared for the experience on a Renault training day at the circuit on June 5.
She drove a Renault road car, then a Formula Renault and finally the E20 for the first time.
Asked by Motorsport.com what the experience and the law change in Saudi Arabia represented, she said: "It's a beautiful gesture from Renault and F1 to support a beautiful day in Saudi.
"I'm here as an ambassador of my country and I hope I did my best today. [It is] the best way to launch a new beginning, a new era."
Al-Hamad has earned a licence in her home country and said she was "very excited" to be able to drive there.
She said it would "definitely" be remembered as a significant moment in the country's history in years to come.
Saudi Arabia has no significant motorsport history but its capital city Riyadh hosted the Race of Champions last year and Formula E will become the first international series to race in the kingdom when it kicks off its 2018/19 season there in December.
Al-Hamad said moments like her F1 experience and the FE race were significant to bring Saudi's intentions to a wider audience.
"Everything together adds up to the importance of it," she said. "I'm a sports fanatic, so I'm very happy with that.
"It's the new Saudi, and it's for us to show the world."
The FIA commission president Michele Mouton, a World Rally Championship event winner, said "in the time Aseel has been a member, Saudi Arabia's vision has been very clear and things have developed at a rapid rate".
Mouton said Renault had provided "an innovative opportunity that showcases so many of our principles".
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
The driver who can wreck F1's 2020 silly season
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
What could have been: When Villeneuve’s shock return thwarted an F1 rookie
Ricciardo: Time running out to sort Abiteboul's tattoo
How Ricciardo helped Renault rediscover its swagger
RB brands Ricciardo/Tsunoda Chinese GP crashes "unnecessary"
Manthey on Porsche defending DTM title: “Don’t think they’ll allow that”
Ferrari announces Miami F1 livery change to mark US anniversary
Haas F1 boss says Magnussen's Chinese GP penalty not "justifiable"
Chinese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024
Why Verstappen's China F1 win was a sideshow to the real battle
How the pursuit of marginal F1 gains caused Sauber's pitstop stumbles
The short-term pain that hides a very real Williams improvement
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments