Renault is celebrating the return of the French Grand Prix in a very special way.
Saudi Arabian Aseel Al-Hamad, the first female member of the Saudi Arabian Motorsport Federation, was given the opportunity to drive a Renault Sport Formula One Team E20 car on the Le Castellet circuit, France, as part of the Renault “Passion Parade” just hours before the start of the first French GP in 10 years. It is the very same car former F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen drove to victory in the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“Renault and F1 are proud to enable Aseel to pursue the passion for motorsport she has cultivated over the years on the same day women are able to drive on the roads of Saudi Arabia,” the automaker said in a statement.
Al-Hamad got her first experience of Formula 1 power at a Renault training day on June 5 at Le Castellet. Under the expert tutoring of Renault Sport Formula One Team engineers and technicians, Al-Hamad got accustomed to the demanding circuit in a Renault road car before switching to a Formula Renault car and the E20 Formula 1 car in the later part of the day.
Al-Hamad represents her country on the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, chaired by former World Rally Championship driver and winner Michèle Mouton. Amongst Al-Hamad’s many responsibilities, she is tasked to put in place strategies and policies to promote the education and training of women in motorsport in Saudi Arabia by collaborating on joint projects and participating in international forums and conferences devoted to women in sport.
“I have loved racing and motorsport from a very young age and to drive a Formula 1 car goes even beyond my dreams and what I thought was possible. It is a genuine honor to drive the Renault Sport Formula One Team E20 car in front of the crowds at its home Grand Prix in France. I hope doing so on the day when women can drive on the roads in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shows what you can do if you have the passion and spirit to dream,” Al-Hamad said.
Jérôme Stoll, president of Renault Sport Racing, said: “Renault has always embraced pioneers and demonstrated a pioneering spirit ... We’re pleased to see Aseel’s passion for racing and her enthusiasm for demonstrating the accessibility of motorsport to more people around the world.”
Michèle Mouton, president of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, said: “In the time Aseel has been a member of the commission, Saudi Arabia’s vision has been very clear and things have developed at a rapid rate. Now, as one of the driving forces behind the Saudi Arabian Motorsport Federation, Aseel will pave the way for women to embrace sports and careers in motor sport.”
