Breaking Barriers: How Women Have Changed the Landscape of Trades, Motorsport, and Automotive Industries

The trades, motorsport, and automotive industries have traditionally been male-dominated, long perceived as a man’s domain. However, women have been making significant contributions to these fields since the 1920s. It’s only in the past decade that their efforts have begun receiving the recognition they deserve, challenging long-standing gender stereotypes. Today, women are no longer restricted to canteen duty, administration, or other supporting roles—though these remain vital to club operations. Instead, they are stepping into central positions, earning respect, and even being celebrated for their achievements.

In this piece, I’ll highlight some of the major ways women have reshaped the landscape of trades, motorsport, and automotive industries—through administration, mechanics, driving, and even morale (yes, morale!).

Administration: The Backbone of the Industry

To many, administration might seem synonymous with yawn. However, it is the backbone of the trades, motorsport, and automotive industries. Without administration, bills wouldn’t be paid, cars wouldn’t be registered, race results wouldn’t be recorded, and the entire system would be chaotic.

Motorsport may be a competitive sport, but it is also deeply social. Historically, while men finished their races and discussed results over beers, it was often the women meticulously recording the data. Their role was essential—without women stepping in to ensure accuracy and organisation, those races may not have even taken place.

Mechanics: Stepping into the Workshop and Beyond

Women have also transformed these industries as mechanics. A pivotal moment came during the World Wars when able-bodied men were called to serve, leaving critical vacancies in the workforce. Women stepped up, adopting roles traditionally reserved for men, becoming mechanics, engineers, and drivers.

One standout example is Alice Anderson. By the age of 22, Anderson was running an all-female workshop while also working as a chauffeur. Born in 1897 to a mechanic father, she learned to drive and disassemble engines from a young age. Her exposure to the automotive industry led her to invent the Get-Out and Get-Under—now known as the garage creeper. Unfortunately, because she didn’t patent her invention in America, it was later claimed and marketed by someone else. Despite this, her innovation became a staple in nearly every mechanical garage worldwide. Anderson’s legacy proves that when given opportunities to explore non-traditional fields, women can create game-changing innovations.

Driving: Shattering Stereotypes on the Track

The stereotype that women can’t drive has been debunked time and time again—both in everyday life and motorsport. Women demonstrate exceptional driving skills, from nailing parallel and reverse parking to outpacing men on the racetrack.

Throughout history, women have pushed themselves to be better—better than they were yesterday, and better than their male competition. By securing seats once exclusively held by men and crossing the finish line first, female racers have redefined who can compete.

The motorsport industry has evolved alongside them. It is no longer a novelty when a woman says she wants to race or work in what was once considered a male-dominated field. Women-only racing categories, such as F1 Academy and the now-defunct W Series, have gained significant media attention and fan support.

Representation has a ripple effect. As more women entered motorsport, more were inspired to follow. Increased female participation has led to more opportunities, greater awareness, and a growing audience. Women have changed the landscape simply by proving they belong.

Morale: Leadership Beyond the Grid Girls

When thinking about morale in motorsport, many might recall grid girls—women in tight, often revealing outfits, holding signs and drawing attention to the race. But morale in motorsport extends far beyond that.

One of the most significant morale-boosting figures in modern motorsport was Claire Williams.

Claire took over as Deputy Team Principal of Williams Formula 1 from 2013 to 2020, following in her father’s footsteps. She was both the youngest person in history to assume this role and the first-ever woman to do so.

Her leadership was met with doubt—many questioned whether a woman could successfully run a high-performance, high-profile racing team. Yet Claire proved them wrong.

She restructured the racing and engineering departments, implementing bold changes that revitalised the team. Under her leadership, Williams F1 became a pioneer in innovative technology, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, moving beyond its outdated, male-dominated culture.

Claire’s influence went beyond performance—she increased the proportion of female employees at Williams to 17.6%, the highest in the F1 paddock. One of those hires was Susie Wolff, who took on a driver development role. Susie later became the first woman to participate in an F1 weekend in 22 years and now leads F1 Academy as its Managing Director.

Claire’s leadership earned her an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 2016. By setting new standards for professionalism, motivation, and engagement, Claire Williams changed the landscape of motorsport in ways that continue to inspire.

The Future: Women in Trades, Motorsport, and Automotive Industries

Women have made extraordinary contributions to these industries—some as innovators, others as athletes pushing their physical and mental limits. The one thing they all share? Courage.

These women took risks, pursued their passions, and faced doubt and mockery from strangers, peers, and even family. But they persisted—and in doing so, they transformed the trades, motorsport, and automotive industries.

Women are just as capable, just as passionate, and—perhaps—more determined than ever. Because unlike their male counterparts, they’ve had to fight harder to earn their place.

And they’re not stopping anytime soon.

Information sources:

1. Alice Anderson: https://www.streetmachine.com.au/features/alice-anderson-australias-first-all-female-garage
2. Claire Williams OBE: https://www.bigdataworld.com/speakers/claire-williams-obe#:~:text=Claire%20Williams%20is%20the%20modernising,services%20to%20F1%20in%202017