Girls Like F1 Too!: Alice Powell : Girl Racer

The name of this blog is Girls Like F1 Too. We are not only concerned with the current state and form of Formula One but the future as well. Taking a look though the ranks of drivers lining up to the be the next 'Lewis Hamilton' there is one name that caught our eye. Alice Powell

Currently driving in the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship for the championship winning team, Manor Competition, is Alice Powell. So look past Danika Patrick, Alice is the hottest new female racing driver and sports talent in the UK (and hopefully soon to be worldwide). Her aim is to be first successful British woman to compete for The Formula One Title.

Name: Alice Powell
Nationality: British
DOB: 26 January 1993
Age: 17
Occupation: Student, The Cotswold School
Hobbies: Gym, Hockey, Football (Spurs Fan), Listening to Music
Favourite TV: Motor-racing and Lost.
Favourite Food: Pasta & Salad
Favourite Tracks: Brands Hatch and Knockhill
Heroes: Lewis Hamilton, Darren Turner, Jason Plato.

You know that you have a detriment child on your hands when they learn to driver a car at the age of six and only two years later, begin a karting career.

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Personally, I have a 5 year old niece and if she approached me asking if she could learn to drive, I would be taken a back. Knowing at the same time that she had thought about wanting to break through the barriers and find herself wanting to compete with the boys, how could you say no?

Alice Powell's career started early as did her wins. Becoming the championship at the Reading Trail Park Cadet Club in her first year of karting. Starting out strong, her career has only expanded.

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In 2009 (age 16) Alice Powell set a new record for becoming the youngest ever female to drive in the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship. (The 150mph single-seater race series which provides a young driver the chance at entering Formula One)

Breaking records for this young female racer didn't seem enough. In 2010, Alice Powell made history. She became the first female ever to win a Formula Renault race and to further that, Alice also set her name in the history books by becoming the first female to win a Formula Renault Championship.

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No fear when it comes to fast pace racing, also in 2010, Alice had out qualified former Formula One Driver Martin Donnelly in the Ginetta G50 race at Oulton Park. Not bad for a Girl Racer!

But instead of going through Alice's accomplishments, I've just gone ahead and taken a list of her career highlights directly from her official website, which can be found here.

YEAR

HIGHLIGHTS

2010

Formula Renault BARC Champion, 2 wins, 7 podiums and 2 pole positions. Alice also history by becoming the first female to win a Formula Renault race and the first female to win a Formula Renault Championship. Due to budget, Alice missed all the winter testing.
Alice is also did half a season in the Ginetta G50 Championship, due to budget. This was a late deal and after only a few pre-season tests, finished once in the top 5 and qualified in the top 6. She out qualified Martin Donnelly in one qualifyings.

2009

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Formula Renault UK Championship. At aged 16, she was the youngest ever Formula Renault UK Driver. Because of her age, she had very little pre race testing and came 6th in Graduate Cup, 18th overall out of 32 competitors. Two "Driver of the Day" awards and several top 10 finishes. See videos in video section. Finalist for the "Women of The Future Awards" in the Young Star category. Alice did a ONE OFF race weekend in Formula Palmer Audi (300to360bhp, open wheel) and scored a 7th place finish out of its 20 experienced driver.

2008

Ginetta Junior Championship - 9th overall with four podiums (two second places and two third positions) See videos in video section.

2007

Ginetta Junior Winter Series - equal 5th overall
MSA Super 1 British Formula JICA Karting Championship – 15th overall, missed two rounds due to other commitments
Kartmasters Grand Prix - 4th overall

2006

BRDC Stars Of Tomorrow Formula JICA Karting Championship - 4th overall
MSA Super 1 British Formula JICA Karting Championship -10th overall
Won Outstanding Driver Award presented by BRDC Stars Of Tomorrow

2005

BRDC Stars Of Tomorrow Formula JICA Karting Championship - 4th overall, youngest driver in the category
MSA Super 1 British Formula JICA (KF3) Karting Championship - 12th overall. Having just turning 12 years of age, she was its youngest ever driver

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Won “Chase the Champ” charity karting event by beating a lap time set by former Formula Renault UK front-runner, 2002 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award Winner and current DTM works Mercedes driver Jamie Green

2004