The FIA has modified its regulations for Formula 2 and Formula 3 to make all language referring to drivers gender-neutral, in a first for the two series.
Like Formula 1, F2 and F3 are open to drivers of any sex and gender, unlike many other major sports.
However, the sporting regulations for all three series – the highest levels in the FIA’s single-seater pyramid, use masculine language and pronouns, referring to drivers as ‘he’ or ‘him’ in many cases. This has been criticised not only for being inappropriate for championships that are supposedly inclusive of all drivers, but for creating potential loopholes where it could be argued that certain rules strictly would only apply to male competitors.
The newly-updated 2024 editions of the sporting regulations for both championships feature more inclusive, non-gendered language in place of the masculine terms used previously.
The same change has not been made in the updated F1 sporting regulations. However RaceFans understands similar revisions are planned for a future update to F1’s rules.
An example of the modified language is Article 24.15 of the F2 regulations, which mandates that all drivers must use at least two compounds during feature races that run without the need for wet weather tyres:
2023 F2 regulations excerpt
24.15 Unless he has used wet-weather tyres during the feature race, each driver must use at least one set of each specification of dry-weather tyres during the feature race.
2024 F2 regulations excerpt
24.15 Unless the driver has used wet-weather tyres during the feature race, each driver must use at least one set of each specification of dry-weather tyres during the feature race.
This year’s Formula 3 championship season included one driver who is a woman – Sophia Floersch (pictured), who raced with the PHM team. While there were no women competing in Formula 2 this year, Tatiana Calderon raced in the final four rounds of the 2022 season for Charouz.
The FIA and Formula 1 have made efforts to increase opportunities for drivers who are women to compete in the highest levels of single-seater racing. The all-female F1 Academy junior series was introduced this year. In 2024 it will race exclusively as a support category at grands prix and each of the 10 F1 teams will back a driver in the series.
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Formula 2
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