Written by Alejandra Guajardo Lozano, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
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 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.
This week, we shine the spotlight on the Chinese driver Shi Wei. Wei will race in F1 Academy in 2025, serving as the first Wild Card of the year when the grid takes to Shanghai for the season opening weekend.
Also known as “Tie Dou”, Shi Wei was the first Wild Card of the 2025 F1 Academy season, driving for debutants Hitech Pulse-Eight.
She will join the grid at the season opener in Shanghai. This announcement made her the first Chinese female driver in the championship.
Wei has raced single-seaters for two years now, having made her F4 debut in 2023, becoming the second woman in the Chinese F4 grid.
Even in such a male-dominated grid, she immediately made herself stick out, despite participating only in two rounds. On her first weekend at Ningbo International Circuit, she became a point-scorer, netting ninth and two sixth places on the road.
Wei scored points for the second time in the car at Zhuhai, ending her debut season with 22 points in just two rounds.
The Chinese driver then returned to Chinese F4 for two rounds at Shanghai. She scored points once again, finishing sixth on the road. Wei also won the Challenge Cup at the FIA F4 Chinese Championship in Shanghai.
She also participated in other championships like the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR86 Cup and the China Endurance Championship, extending her successful racing curriculum.
All of these proofs of raw talent led her to her F1 Academy debut.
“It’s an incredible honour to receive the Wild Card for F1 Academy, giving me the opportunity to compete and learn alongside top drivers on a larger stage, making a dream that once seemed out of reach come true,” Shi Wei commented.
"Hopefully, I can inspire the young generation and raise greater attention to motorsport and the development of the automotive industry."
Wei will be joining Hitech Grand Prix expecting a successful race at her home circuit. With all her success, she has surely become a role model to which little girls can look up to, especially the Chinese who now have someone representing them in this inclusive championship. She is truly a superwoman.
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