MEXICO CITY — At just 16 years old, Ivanna Richards is setting her sights on making a name for herself in the male-dominated world of Formula 1 racing. As one of the only two female drivers competing in Mexico’s top racing categories, she is finishing her first season in the highly competitive Super Copa series where she goes head-to-head with male drivers, including her father, Homero Richards.
As the season approaches its finale, Ivanna currently stands 15th out of 24 drivers, with her father trailing in 19th place. “Whenever he tries to tell me how to improve, I just laugh and remind him that I’m the one beating him,” she shares lightheartedly. Both drivers race for the Zapata team in the Gran Turismo Mexico division, piloting powerful 500-horsepower cars that can clock speeds of up to 250 kph (155 mph).
Ivanna’s fascination with speed is deeply rooted; she grew up at racetracks as her father has been competing in motorsports in Mexico for two decades. She took her first steps into racing at the age of eight by driving go-karts. “I adore Formula cars and would love the opportunity to compete in those categories because my goal is to reach Formula 1. If that doesn’t happen, I’d be interested in NASCAR or IndyCar,” she states.
While five women have participated in Formula 1 grand prix races historically, only two have managed to qualify and compete since Giovanna Amati in 1992. The last female driver to compete in an F1 race was Lella Lombardi, who raced in 1976. “People often ask when a woman will join Formula 1, but I think the real question is when will Formula 1 be ready for a woman. Nevertheless, I’ll give it my all; pursuing your dreams is key,” Ivanna asserts.
Earlier this year, she achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Mexican woman to be invited to the F1 Academy, a racing series for women, where she had the chance to test a Formula 4 vehicle in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Homero Richards is proud of his daughter’s progress: “We’re excited about her development and the success she is experiencing at such a young age. She is performing exceptionally well behind the wheel of such a challenging car, and this process is paving the way for her future.”
To support female drivers, the governing body FIA has rolled out the “Girls on Track” program, which provides ample opportunities for talented female racers globally. Ivanna was a participant in that initiative as a junior driver three years ago. After wrapping up her current season, she plans to shift to Formula cars in either Europe or the United States, but first, she must secure sponsorships and a racing seat.
Previously, one of Richards’ primary sponsors while racing go-karts was Telmex, the telecommunications giant owned by billionaire Carlos Slim, who has been the main sponsor for fellow Mexican racing star Sergio Perez throughout his Formula 1 career. “Seeing Checo’s journey to Formula 1 inspires me; if he could do it, so can I,” Ivanna remarks.
Regina Sirvent is another female driver competing within Mexico’s elite racing categories, specifically in the NASCAR Mexico Truck series. Before Richards and Sirvent, Alexandra Mohnhaupt was another notable figure who raced in Formula 3 in Europe until her retirement following an accident in 2018.
Ivanna has an impressive record of success in go-karting, including three national titles: MicroSwift in 2018, MiniSwift titles during 2019-20, and a championship in KZ2 in 2022. She made her first appearance in the Super Copa last year during the Formula 1 event in Mexico, which prompted her decision to race a full season this year. Notably, she is the only female competitor in the Gran Turismo Mexico series.
“I raced against mixed fields in go-karts, predominantly against guys, but now it’s strictly men. Honestly, I have never been bothered by the gender disparity. It’s been the same for me since I started racing, without any hurdles,” she explains.
Among the challenges of being a student and a racer, Richards manages to balance her education with racing on weekends. Despite her high-speed prowess on the track, she is not yet old enough for a public driver’s license, which she can obtain at 18. Occasionally, her parents allow her to borrow a car for quick outings. “It’s amusing; I can zip by at over 200 kilometers per hour on the track, but I require permission from my parents for simple errands,” Ivanna laughs. “I often wonder if my mother feels more anxious watching me race or while I’m out driving like any regular teenager.”
