Clare woman takes to the grid in first-ever Formula Woman Nations Cup qualifiers

The sporting dreams of Clare woman Laura O’Connell are one step closer to becoming a reality as she has taken to the grid in the first-ever Formula Woman Nations Cup qualifiers.   

The 25-year-old is among a select group of fifty female racing drivers drawn from 25 countries across the world who are competing at the inaugural event in Dubai, this Thursday.

She is one of only two Irish women set to race in what is regarded as one of the most exciting developments for female motorsports racing drivers globally. The ultimate objective of Formula Woman is to develop a pathway to progress female drivers to compete regularly in all forms of motorsports all the way up to Formula One. To date only five women have officially competed in a Formula One Grand Prix. 

The event is being broadcast to over 120 countries across the world with an attendance of over 60,000. As part of a behind-the-scenes look at the first-ever group of racers in Formula Woman, renowned director Jessica Phillips has been following the drivers and filming a docuseries with O’Connell set to star along with her counterparts.  

A multi-talented sports woman, Laura O’Connell represented her county at under-age level in Camogie as well as competing in horse-riding, gymnastics and badminton. An introduction to motorsport by O’Connell’s father, Patrick, proved momentous with Laura following the fortunes of Formula One legends Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher from a young age.   

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For the Broadford native, the race series in Dubai represents a major opportunity to build towards attaining a life-long ambition of becoming a full-time professional motor-racing driver, with a dream of driving at Le Mans in the future. She has already competed in numerous races in the UK, including the MSVR all-comers in Brands Hatch and Donnington Park; the Miata Trophy in Brands Hatch, and drove the Jaguar Project 8 in the Sprint Series in Blyton Park, all of which contributed to her attaining a place in the Formula Woman qualifiers.   

“From a young age I have been a huge fan of motorsport and karting and grew up watching Formula One legends. That has been instrumental in influencing my own ambitions. It’s a huge honour to represent Ireland at this event, and achieving this, is the culmination of many months of hard work. Traditionally, motorsport has been a male dominated sport, but with major events like Formula Woman, it now means that dreams can become a reality,” she said.  

Speaking of preparation for the Formula Woman Nations Cup qualifiers, she added: “Juggling the demands of a full-time career in the science industry, preparing physically and technically to compete in Formula Woman as well as the significant expense associated with competing in motorsport have all proved challenging."

“The sport does involve a lot of preparation and travel out of the country to the UK for instance to practice on motor-racing tracks as well as numerous trips to karting tracks around Ireland as part of the Motorsport Ireland Karting Championship.   

“However, despite the significant challenge, I am determined to make it work and to seize the opportunities. Growing up, there were few female role models in this industry, something which is changing now, albeit slowly. Opportunities like Formula Woman provide an amazing chance for female racing drivers and for them to then inspire the next generation to pursue their sporting goals.”