Saudi Arabia's trailblazing female racer, Reema Juffali, is set to compete as a wildcard entry in the inaugural 2024 F1 Academy series at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, coinciding with the fourth Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from March 7 to 9. Juffali expressed her pride, stating, "Representing my nation, especially in my hometown, is an immense honor." She looks forward to sharing the experience with her loved ones and believes her participation can inspire others, saying, "The arrival of Formula 1 in Jeddah bridged my two worlds, and now, I am thrilled to be partaking in it."
WILDCARD: Saudi racer Reema Juffali confirmed as Wild Card entry for first round of the 2024 F1 ACADEMY Racing Series in Jeddah. @reemajuffali joins the series’ debut in Saudi Arabia during the FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2024.#F1ACADEMY pic.twitter.com/qzMtPscisV
— F1 Academy (@f1academy) February 19, 2024
Juffali aims to inspire Saudis, especially women, in motorsport's male-dominated arena. She emphasizes visibility, saying, "If people don't see it, they won't believe it." Juffali hopes Saudi fans seeing a local female racer will inspire them, saying, "I hope Saudi fans witnessing a local female racing driver will spark the realization that this is an achievable endeavor." She sees this as just the start, aiming to break barriers for future Saudi racers.
The 2024 F1 Academy season, from March 7 in Saudi Arabia to December 8 in Abu Dhabi, features races across continents, including new venues like Miami, Qatar, and Singapore, plus returning tracks Zandvoort and Barcelona. Juffali, Saudi Arabia's first female racer since 2018, has achieved milestones like competing at home and securing podium finishes in various championships, fueled by her lifelong passion for cars.
Juffali's impact extends beyond her achievements; she's committed to fostering motorsport talent in Saudi Arabia through Theeba Motorsport. This initiative offers educational programs to encourage local participation. Notably, Theeba Motorsport won in its debut at the 2022 International GT Open, making Juffali the first Saudi woman to achieve such a feat. Her efforts have earned praise from Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and Saudi Motorsport Company, who hails her as a national inspiration.
As Saudi Arabia prepares to host its first Formula 1 Academy race, Juffali's involvement serves as a testament to the country's burgeoning motorsport scene. With seven rounds supporting the FIA Formula One World Championship, the F1 Academy season promises to showcase talent from diverse backgrounds while contributing to the global motorsport landscape.
