Amna Al Qubaisi on her F1 journey and the reality of being the only woman on track

Life

There was a time when young Arab girls were told to dream within limits. Today, they are advancing science, dominating esports tournaments, speeding past expectations and carving their own paths down snow-capped peaks. Across science, sport and digital culture, a powerful shift is underway. Young women are no longer waiting for permission to lead. They are claiming their space, competing globally and turning passion into profession. Here, we meet a changemakers who embodies a generation raised to believe ambition has no limits.

AMNA AL QUBAISI 25,

Racing Driver

“I wasn’t interested in the sport,” Amna Al Qubaisi confesses when Emirates Woman meets her over Zoom to discuss her meteoric rise in the world of motorsport. “I wanted to bond with my dad, and motorsport was his favourite hobby. So, I said, ‘I want to do karting, can you coach me?’ and that’s when I fell in love with the sport.” Despite her father’s initial surprise, he gladly took her to the racetrack for the first time when she was just 14. “I was scared at first,” Al Qubaisi reflects honestly. “I jumped in the kart and I didn’t know the whole concept of racing. But bit-by-bit as my dad started to teach me, I got better.” A passion for competition spurred her on, and the opportunity to beat her father – Khaled Al Qubaisi, the first Emirati racing driver to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France – encouraged Al Qubaisi to practice regularly, and she often found herself going to Abu Dhabi’s Al Forsan track solo to hone her craft.

But it came with challenges. “I was a bit lonely in karting. I think there were just two other girls and my sister.” Amna’s younger sister, Hamda Al Qubaisi, followed in her footsteps to the racetrack. “Then, when I progressed into single-seaters, it got worse, because I was the only girl there. It was a very tough field.” Reflecting on being in an entirely male team during those formative years, Al Qubaisi says it was isolating. “[Back in 2018] there wasn’t a single woman. So I couldn’t find anyone to relate to or talk to.” But positive change has been made. Women are now in an increasing number of roles in motorsport, from engineers to mechanics, something Al Qubaisi describes as ‘great to see.’ After stints in the Italian Formula 4 Championship, Al Qubaisi progressed into the Formula 3 Asian Championship in 2021, joining the newly formed all-female F1 Academy Championship in 2023 with MP Motorsport. After ending the season sixth with two wins, she re-signed with MP for 2024 and joined the Red Bull Academy Programme to represent the RB Formula One Team.

While Amna has undoubtedly become a poster girl for young Arab women in motorsport, her immediate influence began at home. Soon after she began karting, her sister, two years her junior, joined the sport. “I think she wanted to be with me, to tap into my world,” Al Qubaisi says fondly me.” And how about 10 years from now? “I would love to run for FIA President,” her confidence infectious. “I want to make it easier for women to get into motorsports.” As our conversation concludes, we talk about the best advice she could give aspiring young motorsports enthusiasts. “You’ve got to do it for yourself,” she says, almost instantly. “You shouldn’t compare your path to anyone else’s. Just focus on your own journey, go at your own pace, and enjoy the moment.”

– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram

Images: Supplied