Racing ahead: Amna Al Qubaisi

‘I’m very proud to be representing women in general and Arabian women in particular.’

Amna Al Qubaisi is quite the inspiration. The first Emirati female racing driver to compete internationally, she has impressed in karting and Formula 4 and is now turning her talents to the electric-only racing formula, Formula E. Also, she’s 18.

Amna began her racing career in 2014, aged 14. She was inspired by her father, Khaled Al Qubaisi, who made history for the United Arab Emirates when he became the first Emirati to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

‘I got into racing because of my dad. Before that, I was an elite gymnast, but later on, I grew more fond of motorsport because all my dad’s conversations were about racing! Going to different tracks around the world, meeting different drivers, anything and everything about racing—I thought I should try a go-kart, and that’s where it all began.’

Kart racing is a popular way to introduce future drivers to motor racing, with many Formula 1 drivers starting in karts, including Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton. In 2017, Amna became the first woman to win the UAE Senior-class Rotax Max Challenge—after just four years in the sport.

‘My competitors started at a very young age—around five or six years old—and I started just four years ago, but you’re never too old to drive a race car.’

Having made history as the first Arab female to compete in international motorsports, Amna had to overcome many barriers to reach this level—hurdles many fall at, especially women.

‘It feels very perplexing to be the first Arab. Not only did I have to compete in the karting championship in the UAE, but I had to win it, and be amongst the top ten when karting in Europe. It takes years of hard work, dedication, sweat and tears, but in the end, I made it. It’s definitely not easy for women as you can see very few have made it, and we work twice as hard to reach the top of our game. My age doesn’t really matter, since in racing it’s more about your experience level. A billion thanks to my sponsors Kaspersky Lab, Renoir Consulting, Italia Independent, Garage Italia, and Omeir Travel Agency for believing in me and giving me this exceptional opportunity.’

This year, Amna raced in Formula 4 for a prestigious team: Prema Powerteam. ‘I’m very happy and proud to be part of a very professional and elite team. They’ve treated me very well so I’m glad I’m part of an established team who have won many races and graduated many Formula 1 drivers such as Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, and Antonio Giovinazzi.’

Season over, Amna headed to Saudi Arabia for the December Formula E test at the Ad Diriyah ePrix in Riyadh. Formula E is a worldwide competition where only electric-powered cars can compete and Amna was looking forward to driving the Audi Sport FE05:

‘I’m thrilled for my first Formula E experience. It’s always been something I wanted to do: the feel of instant and impressive power from the get-go.’

She wasn’t the lone female in this experience though: Amna is one of seven female drivers who were involved in the test, including Carmen Jorda and Simona de Silvestro, who have both been involved with Formula 1 teams in the past.

Not only that, but her sister, Hamda Al Qubaisi, is starting her own racing journey.

‘To be honest, my little sister surprised us all. She wasn’t very fond of racing, but amazingly from her first race where she was almost lapped, she won the last race of the season! She’s very ruthless and an aggressive driver; we had a few races together in junior karting, which was very competitive, and hopefully in the future we’ll be able to compete in cars.’

In the meantime, Amna is off to Paris Sorbonne University, where she’ll be balancing her studying with all the racing and training she needs for international competitiveness.

‘My parents’ number one rule is education, so if I don’t study or get good grades, I can’t attend any races! I’m interested in doing some filming or media, or mechanical engineering.’ As for the racing, ‘the future is bright, so we’ll see what’s to come for me next year! Some pretty positive things.’

In 2017, Amna was nominated as one of the top ten Middle Eastern women who ‘crushed it in 2017’ and she really is a role model to women across the GCC. Her advice to any woman with a dream?

‘Never be ashamed of expressing your dreams and goals, even if people laugh at you and are cynical. Use that as motivation to push harder and prove them wrong. They’re just afraid you’ll make it.’ ■