Saudi woman Aseel Al-Hamad marked the end of the Saudi Arabia’s longstanding driving ban on women by driving an F1 car ahead of the French Grand Prix.
Al-Hamad, the first female member of the Saudi Arabian Motorsport Federation, drove the Renault Sport E20 car as part of the “Passion Parade” -- the same car Kimi Raikkonen drove to victory in the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In a statement released before the race, Al-Hamad said she hopes that her role in the race would inspire other Saudi women, showing them “what you can do if you have the passion and spirit to dream.”
The ban, which was lifted on June 23, comes after nearly three decades of calls for change. Although there was no explicit law against women driving, licences were not issued to Saudi women and a ban was enforced by police.
Saudi Arabian Aseel Al-Hamad, the first female member of the Saudi Arabian Motorsport Federation, to drive the @PaulRicardTrack, in the 2012 @RenaultSportF1 car today ahead of the #FrenchGP.
— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) June 24, 2018
�� https://t.co/tzyEzSfs7I#RSspirit #RACEday #SheDrives pic.twitter.com/N6WhhUpAWs
Today goes down in history, as the women of #SaudiArabia will start driving. Watch the video to see how I marked the occasion with @Jaguar and share your favourite driving memory using #WorldDrivingDay pic.twitter.com/u1LYxOn292
— ASEEL AL HAMAD (@ASEEL_ALHAMAD) June 23, 2018
Yes, women are driving now but some have been hitting Formula one tracks. In today's episode of #SaudiNewsmakers @Aseel_alhamad, member of @SAMF speaks to us about her experience with racing. pic.twitter.com/11CCIvA4cY
— CIC Saudi Arabia (@CICSaudi) June 24, 2018
Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving officially ended today. I don't think we'll have to wait long until and international motor race - and, specifically, an all-female race - is announced there. #F1 #SaudiWomenDriving
— Adam Hay-Nicholls (@AdamHayNicholls) June 23, 2018
