the power of a female audience in formula one
Everyone’s a fan of something, some in more devoted ways than others, but when you factor in gender, you’re bound to be met with the ever-present double standard that exists between men & women when it comes to being an enthusiast about something. I’m sure you’ve seen the comparisons of grown men screaming in the stands of a football game with paint-streaked cheeks and beet-red faces to young girls in costumes, holding up hand-made glitter signs and crying over their favorite teen idol. One is perfectly acceptable, with the notion that men are simply avid about sports, while the other is trivial, childish and something that will be grown out of once they “mature.” So when genders cross over in male-dominated fandoms: what happens, and is the integration seamless?
We’re seeing it in two difference spaces right now: the NFL and Formula One. The uptick in NFL’s female audience is thanks to Taylor Swift and her supporting her beau, Travis Kelce. Most women, save for the odd few, are curious, expressive people who you certainly want to cater to as fans & supporters. Just look at how the Kansas City Chiefs merchandise sales have skyrocketed since the Tayvis debut. They shell out cash to support their favorite people, come up with creative ways to champion them, and are all around a valuable group to have in your corner for anything, really. Sadly, male NFL fans did not take kindly to some of the newfound female interests in NFL, despite it being earnest and sincere. Even if some girls were just watching the game in hopes of catching a glimpse of their favorite artist, what is so wrong with that? They’re still watching the game and giving it a chance, and perhaps a particular moment might spark their interest — or not. But nevertheless, the door of possibility was opened and more women have been brought into the sport, creating the momentum for change in the industry in terms of fandom and administration.
The same goes for Formula One. In the past few years, there has been a rise in female racing fans, and the proof has been exciting & heartwarming. Drivers donning vibrant friendship bracelets, more Etsy shops crafting original team merchandise, and all-around increase in spirit & excitement. Furthermore, there seems to be more of an interest in the drivers themselves beyond their stats and wins. I notice that female fans tend to dive deeper as fans into the history, backgrounds and lives of their favorite people. Personally, as a new Formula one fan, I myself actually prefer the content created by the women fans because their explanations tend to capture my interest more, exploring all sorts of creative avenues to explain & celebrate the sport.
To American fans especially, the luxe, chic culture surrounding the sport is another fascinating draw. Fashion accounts dedicated to the old-money styles of the girlfriends & wives of the drivers, and the drivers themselves, have exploded and videos of the flamboyantly lavish crowds are impossible to scroll past. Beyond the driving, the social culture surrounding these races is on another level. The budgets of the building of these cars, prices of tickets overlooking the paddock, and more are enough to make your head spin. Arguably, Formula One is the sport to follow because it has an aspect for every type because it expands beyond just the sport itself.
Susie Wolff and Lissie Macintosh are two prominent names in the world of F1 right now for their own respective reasons. Susie Wolff, a Scottish former professional racing driver, is nurturing the next generation of female Formula One drivers as the managing director of the F1 Academy. Only two years old, the academy is focused on turning young, prodigal female drivers into driving superstars who can seamlessly transition from karting to race cars. This program is imperative, especially because, according to The Conversation, “only five female racing drivers have entered world championship grands prix – of whom just two qualified and actually raced.” Thanks to these trailblazing women, hopefully we will see more women entering the grid in the coming years and furthermore see female drivers more normalized.
The mechanics, economics & strategies that make up the framework of these races are potential open doors for young women to explore the world of STEM in a competitive, athletic sphere. If that doesn’t interest them, the right-brained types like myself can find themselves drawn to the marketing and journalistic side of racing — how the teams choose to present themselves, how to market their drivers, which questions appeal to drivers & fans alike, and more. Lissie Macintosh is a perfect example of this, hailing from London and being a pioneer in sports journalism for young women everywhere at only 24. Her confidence & keen intelligence about the sport sparks inspiration for many girls & women nervous about dipping their toes into such a notoriously masculine space, and she proves that there not only is room for women in F1 but a missing space where their abilities & partnership has been desperately needed.
Hopefully this article brought some insight into the importance of women actively & proudly expressing their interests in sports and entertainment alike. Fear of misogyny, double standards and judgment can often serve as a barrier to us living our most forthright and authentic lives, but women & those who present femininely are the ideal audience due to their fervent devotion & dedication as fans. The things that excite us and feed our passion for life are worthy of being shared and celebrated, and those who try to hinder them are cutting off their noses to spite their faces, considering women are key consumers to industries across the global, keeping their favorite artists’ lights on and favorite businesses afloat.
