ELEVATING EQUALITY
IN MOTORSPORT

Mission Makers are joined this week by former solicitor and CEO of the W-Series, Catherine Bond Muir. During the episode we gain an insight into what inspired the creation of the all-female single seater championship and the challenges faced getting such a monumental series off the ground. Catherine also goes on to discuss life as a mother and debunk the idea that she has been able to do it all by herself.

 

Up until a couple of years ago the words Catherine Bond Muir would have meant very little to those involved in motorsport. Catherine herself has admitted as much. However, since successfully launching the W Series in 2018, Catherine has gone on to become one of the most prominent figures in motorsport and her name has now become synonymous with the fight for equality.

“The face of motorsport really is changing,” she says and undoubtedly, the W Series has been one of the most important catalysts for that change. It has been more than 40 years since a woman was on the grid of a Formula 1 race but in less than 3 years, the W Series managed to get a partnership with F1 to ensure it will not be another 40 years before women turn the wheel again. 

 

Prior to launching the series, there were many naysayers who held the belief that no one was interested in women’s racing, including those close to Catherine. Several prominent female racing drivers were also incredibly vocal about what they perceived as an unnecessary segregation. However the 400,000 U.K viewers who tuned into the inaugural W Series race disagreed, and now some of her fiercest critics have turned into drivers for the W Series.

 

As Catherine goes on to explain diligently during the interview, “the best way to get over any hurdle is to demonstrate how you would do it and let the rest follow.” Her determination and innovation in designing the series ensured that she was able to bring on the heavyweights needed to protect her mission such as David Coulthard and Matt Bishop, who played a huge role into the early development of the championship. 

 

More broadly though, Catherine says she owes a lot to her family and especially her husband who provided her with much needed support during what were unquestionably tough years balancing a historical vision whilst raising a new-born baby. A baby who for many years appeared to be an impossible dream, but proved that dreams can come true. 

 

The full conversation with Catherine can be found on the video below and on the Mission Makers podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

 

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