Written by Ramiza Donlic
Women have played an influential role throughout the history of motor racing. Many have taken to the wheels of motorsport machines, while numerous figures have worked tirelessly on the sidelines in various roles, shaping the motor racing world to the present day. Woman Spotlight Wednesday aims to take a look at the tales of these superwomen, who have surpassed various hurdles to reach where they are today.
From karting prodigy to endurance racing star, Beitske Visser stands out as a fierce competitor with a diverse and impressive racing portfolio.
With a career spanning karting, single-seater championships, and GT racing, Visser has carved a niche for herself as one of the most promising talents in motorsport today.
Born in Dronten, Netherlands, on March 10, 1995, Visser was practically destined for a life of speed. Her father, a motocross rider, passed on his passion for racing, leading her to take up karting at the age of five.
Visser’s natural talent quickly became evident, as she progressed through the ranks. She dominated karting circuits in the Netherlands, as well as internationally, earning numerous titles along the way.
She worked her way up from the junior ranks to progress through to the KZ1 category by 2011, where she finished tenth in the CIK-FIA European KZ1 Championship.
Visser’s early karting success laid a solid foundation for what would become a remarkable career in motorsport. Her rapid ascent caught the attention of Red Bull, and in 2013, she joined their prestigious Junior Team.
In 2011, she made her car racing debut in the Supercar Challenge at Assen Circuit, in the GT class, driving a Praga R4S. Even after receiving a 25-second penalty, she surpassed her opponent Roger Grouwels and claimed her first car racing win on debut.
Visser made her transition from karting to single-seater racing in 2012 with Lotus (also known as Motopark Academy) when she joined the ADAC Formel Masters series. In her rookie season, she demonstrated remarkable potential, securing a win at the Sachsenring and multiple podium finishes.
This marked the start of her journey into single-seater racing. In 2013, Visser signed with Lotus for the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, a significant step up in competition.
Despite being one of the few women in the series, Visser was determined to prove her worth, showcasing her skills against seasoned drivers.
However, like many young drivers, she faced challenges as she rose up the ranks of junior racing. The 2014 season in Formula Renault 3.5 did not bring the results she had hoped for, but Visser remained focused on her goal of reaching the top levels of motorsport.
After her stint in formula racing, Visser made a strategic shift to GT and endurance racing - proving her versatility as a driver. In 2017, she joined the BMW Junior Program, opening up an opportunity to race in a prestigious endurance event behind the wheel of a BMW M4 GT4.
Her adaptability to different racing formats quickly became apparent. Endurance racing, with its long stints, unpredictable conditions, and teamwork demands, became a new avenue for Visser to showcase her skills.
Alongside Bruno Spengler, she also became one of the test and reserve drivers for Andretti Autosport ahead of the 2018-19 Formula E season.
As Visser looks to the future, she continues to set ambitious goals. In an interview with BMW, Visser expresses her passion for GT racing and her desire to compete in the German DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), one of the most prestigious touring car series in the world.
"I hope that one day I will have the opportunity to compete in DTM." With her experience in GT and endurance racing, Visser is certainly well-prepared for the challenges DTM presents, and her ambition to compete at the highest levels of motorsport remains as strong as ever.
Her journey with BMW was highly successful. In 2018, she competed in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, impressing many with her adaptability to different racing conditions and her ability to perform under pressure.
Her achievements in GT racing helped solidify her reputation as a versatile driver capable of excelling in multiple disciplines.
Her involvement in the “Girls Only” team for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, was one of her most noticeable achievements. In this gruelling event, Visser and her all-female team challenged the status quo, proving that women can not only compete but also excel in endurance racing´s toughest arenas.
Fast forward to 2024, and Visser, alongside teammate Carrie Schreiner, celebrated a double-podium finish at the Nürburgring, cementing her place among the top drivers in the discipline.
One of the major highlights of Visser´s career came with the arrival of the W Series in 2019, an all-female single-seater championship designed to provide more opportunities for women in motorsport. Right from the start, Visser was a force to be reckoned with.
In the series´ inaugural season, she secured multiple podium finishes, ultimately finishing second in the championship standings. Visser’s battle for the title was a clear demonstration of her consistency, skill and ability to compete at the highest level.
The Dutch racer narrowly missed out on the championship, but her performances solidified her status as one of the top female drivers globally.
Visser made her debut in LMP2 machinery in 2020 and raced in both European Le Mans Series and WEC under the banner of the Richard Mille Racing Team in another all-female squad, alongside now-Alpine junior Sophia Flörsch and Tatiana Calderón.
In 2020 the W Series has fallen victim to the disorder caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. What was supposed to be the championship´s second season got replaced by an esports series for the 18 women who qualified for 2020.
Visser was the first race winner in the series and has won 11 of the 27 races in total. Speaking to W Series, Visser commented: “It feels really good to win the W Series Esports League. From the start of the League season, I’ve been very strong so I’m happy that I could win it with one round to spare.
“I didn’t realise until someone told me afterwards that I’d not only won the League but also 11 races out of the 27 we’ve had so far! Racing drivers want to win everything so it means a lot to me.”
The Dutchwoman returned to the W Series in 2021, continuing to show her skill and determination. Although the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020 season, she remained focused on her development and prepared for future opportunities.
Her success in the W Series further elevated her profile, bringing more visibility to her career and helping to challenge the traditional gender barriers in motorsport.
In 2023, Visser made her return to prototype racing with a part-time campaign in the Prototype Cup Germany, along with a one-off appearance in the Ultimate Cup, both in LMP3 machinery.
Despite facing technical setbacks in these outings, she delivered promising performances, showcasing her potential in the category.
Looking ahead to 2024, Visser’s involvement with the Girls Only by WS Racing team was officially confirmed, marking her third entry in the prestigious 24 Hours of the Nürburgring.
After securing a second-place finish in her class in 2023, Visser is now focused on going one better and aiming for the top spot in the upcoming edition of the endurance classic.
Her career has been defined by pushing limits, breaking down barriers, and proving that talent and determination have no gender. Visser´s journey from karting to formula racing, and now to endurance racing is a powerful reminder that women can excel in motorsport, no matter the challenges.
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