As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, Saudi Arabia’s female athletes continue to break barriers and set new records in various sports disciplines. One notable figure is Reem Al-Aboud, the race driver who recently established a new acceleration record in the GenBeta version of Formula E’s electric race car, enhancing the Gen3 car with its 400 kW power capacity.
Al-Aboud clocked an astounding 0-60 miles per hour in just 2.49 seconds, an achievement that Formula E called a “landmark moment for motorsport,” overtaking the Formula 1 acceleration record.
Reem AL-Aboud sets new acceleration record in motorsports
Exploring the GEN3 with Reem Al-Aboud 🤩
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) March 8, 2023
In Partnership with FIA #GirlsOnTrackFE, we're helping inspire young girls in the motorsport world 💪#IWD2023 #EmbraceEquity pic.twitter.com/HzlTYB0yff
In an interview with Arab News at Riyadh’s Dirab Motor Park, Al-Aboud shared her exhilaration: “It was incredible driving the car. I had the experience of driving the Gen2 in 2018 and the Gen3 a few months ago. The evolution of the Formula E car is just marvelous.”
She highlighted the remarkable difference in torque and acceleration between the GenBeta and the Gen3 cars.
At 24, Al-Aboud, originally from Jeddah, has emerged as a role model for young Saudi women aspiring to venture into motorsports.
“Many women have reached out to me since I began, inquiring about how to start, where to start, and the fundamentals of becoming a race car driver. It’s truly an honor to inspire them,” Al-Aboud mentioned to Arab News.
In December 2018, she made history as the first Saudi woman to perform hot laps in a Nissan Gen2 car—a milestone that came months after the lifting of the driving ban on women in June 2018, a move symbolizing women’s progress in the country.
“The lifting of the driving ban and the implementation of Vision 2030 have made it possible for us women to pursue our dreams and excel in various sports,” Al-Aboud reflected. “I’ve dreamed of being a race car driver since I was very young.”
She credits the social reforms in Saudi Arabia for reviving her childhood ambition, a sentiment echoed by many of Saudi Arabia’s pioneering female athletes.
“The infrastructure, the opportunities – everything is in place for us. We just need to give our all to realize our dreams,” Al-Aboud stated.
Her recent accomplishment aligns with Formula E’s commitment to fostering diversity and promoting gender equality in the realm of motorsports.
Other initiatives aimed at advancing these goals include the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile Girls on Track program and the NXT Gen Cup, which is set to feature competitors of both genders.
