More Than Equal and Formula E: Accelerating Gender Equality in Motorsport

Winning a bet yet still losing money—sounds odd, doesn’t it? But that’s exactly what happened to Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds. In the build-up of the Formula 1 season, Dodds said that if any driver other than Max Verstappen won the Formula 1 championship, he would donate a quarter of a million dollars. Well, Verstappen won the title, meaning Dodds technically didn’t have to part with any money. However, in a remarkable show of generosity, he chose to donate the full amount anyway. The arrangement saw Verstappen selecting one beneficiary—he chose "Wings for Life," a spinal cord research foundation—and Dodds choosing another. Dodds directed his contribution to "More Than Equal," a foundation dedicated to supporting women in motorsport on their way to becoming professional racing drivers. While both of these causes are undoubtedly good choices, the latter piqued my interest: What exactly do "More Than Equal" do? How do they support female drivers exactly? And who was the person who started it?

What is More Than Equal?

In the male-dominated world of motorsport, the start up "More Than Equal" has been created to support and develop female racing drivers. One of its co-founders is former Formula 1 racing driver David Coulthard, the other is entrepreneur Karel Komarek. 

The organisation's mission is to identify and nurture talented female drivers, providing them with the necessary resources, training, and opportunities to reach the highest levels in motorsport. By utilising data, technology, and innovation, "More Than Equal" aims to transform women's participation in racing, ensuring that female drivers receive the support they need to compete at the highest levels.

Addressing Key Challenges

One of the key challenges identified by "More Than Equal" is the tendency for young female drivers to leave the sport as they progress to higher competition levels. A study conducted by the organization highlighted this issue, emphasizing the need for targeted support and mentorship programs to retain and develop female talent in motorsport.

In addition to their internal programs, "More Than Equal" collaborates with other organisations and initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in racing. For instance, Formula E has partnered with "More Than Equal" to explore ways to provide female drivers with more time in competitive cars, enhancing their experience and exposure in professional racing environments.

By focusing on the development of female racing drivers, the startup founded by one of the most outspoken Formula E supporters, David Coulthard, is playing a crucial role in challenging the status quo and paving the way for greater gender diversity in motorsport. Their commitment to leveraging data and technology, combined with strategic partnerships, positions them at the forefront of efforts to see a woman compete in the highest levels of motorsport.

Seeing Formula E's CEO provide financial support for such a remarkable initiative, coupled with the Pre-Season Women’s Test held by Formula E in Spain last December, demonstrates the series' genuine commitment to helping another female driver secure a place in one of the 22 Formula E cars on the grid.

You can download the results of "More Than Equal"'s insightful research here.