Formula 4 driver Kareen Kaur is redefining what’s possible for women in motorsports

This International Women’s Day, five women show us how everyday actions reshape workplaces, communities and cultures to impact lives around them. This series is created in partnership with Uniqlo.

Kareen’s outfit: Zip Up Short Jacket, Racer Back Bra Top, Pleated Skort, Clean Belt, Crew Pile Line Socks, and Suede Combination Sneaker, Uniqlo

While most of us enter a state of calm while at a wellness retreat or taking nature walks, Kareen Kaur experiences peace when racing in a go-kart.

“I feel very calm the moment I put my helmet on and put the pedal to the metal, because I simply love the speed, racing against others and pushing myself each time,” she beams.

The 15-year-old is Singapore’s first female driver to race in Formula 4 (F4), and the fastest female driver in the senior category at international karting competitions. Clocking over 200kmh on the racetrack, she debuted at the F4 Indian Championship in August last year, and became the youngest South-east Asian female to score points in an FIA F4 race.

These points gave her a real boost in confidence, Kareen admits. Scoring points means a driver has finished a race in the top 10 positions, which earns them points towards championship standings. Eventually, these points are a key requirement for earning specific points that count towards qualifying for the Formula 1 Grand Prix – which is Kareen’s ultimate goal. Only five women in the sport’s history have ever done this.

“Racing in F4 has been a huge step up from go-karting – it’s fast, intense and very thrilling,” she enthuses. “The power, aerodynamics and G-forces are all different. The car grips hard in corners and it gets really hot, plus the physical training demands way more than karting.”

Kareen was only nine years old when she discovered her love of racing. She was having lunch with her father, Kuldeep, at Turf City in Bukit Timah and the karting track caught her eye. Much to Kuldeep’s surprise, she came in fourth out of 12 drivers on her first try in a fun kart; on her second attempt, she came in second.

As fate would have it, an Italian racing team spotted her and signed her on that very day. Kareen trained with them for four months before joining 29R Racing Development, a Singapore-based professional karting team and development programme. She later joined the Asia Racing Team when she transitioned to F4 training.

Last year, Kareen secured third place in the ROK Cup Singapore Championship, and finished fourth in the ROK Cup Asia Championship, where she was the only female driver. F4 racing is historically and currently a male-dominated sport, although increasing female participation is challenging the gender stereotype.

“Girls definitely need to work harder as boys are biologically and physically stronger,” Kareen says. “But I think once you put your helmet on and everything else being equal, the driver who has the talent and has worked the hardest will bring podium finishes.”

She adds with a glint in her eye: “I would like to see people respecting talent, instead of gender.”

The F4 South East Asia Championship in Sepang, Malaysia awaits Kareen in April. While most of her competitors race full time, she juggles school work and preparing for her GCE O-Level Examinations this year alongside her F4 training and competitions. She credits her parents as her biggest supporters, especially when the going gets tough. “They cheer me on the loudest through my ups and downs. Their support is so important, especially when I get discouraging results,” she says.

Beyond podium wins, Kareen defines success as inspiring female drivers to take up motorsport.

“I received a few messages on my Instagram account recently from girls saying they took up motorsport because of me,” she shares. “I was really touched because I knew I made a difference.”

ART DIRECTION Adeline Eng & Ray Ticsay
STYLING Bryan Goh
HAIR Grego Oh
MAKEUP Lasalle Lee
COORDINATION Sophie Hong & Cheryl Chan