Two Filipino Women Blazing Trails in Motorsport

When Julia de los Angeles takes her place on the starting grid, she's usually the only woman racing against dozens of men.

The 16-year-old phenom competes in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup, one of only four women in the entire series. She's proving that talent doesn't have a gender, even when the odds feel stacked against her.

"I think I have to put in more effort," de los Angeles admits. "I have to really take the time to learn things that aren't so hard for them."

She recalls one race where she was leading in points and heard other racers joking: "Are you going to lose to a girl?" The comment stung, but it also fueled her determination to win.

De los Angeles isn't alone in rewriting the rules. Angie Mead King, a trans woman who came out in 2016, nearly abandoned her motorsport dreams because she feared the industry wouldn't accept her.

Instead, she found courage through Charlie Martin, a transgender racer in the UK. King stayed in the sport and became a powerhouse, racing for Mazda while also designing parts, building components, and fixing engines.

"It is possible to be different, be female, be feminine, and still succeed and excel in this industry," King says.

Why This Inspires

Their timing couldn't be better. Formula 1 has exploded in popularity across the Philippines thanks to Netflix's Drive to Survive, transforming motorsport from a niche interest into mainstream entertainment.

That visibility matters. Women like Bianca Bustamante have reached the F1 Academy and joined McLaren's driver development program, showing young Filipino girls that professional racing is within reach.

"It feels like suddenly I'm seen," de los Angeles says about the sport's growing profile.

Both women acknowledge that barriers remain. The sport's expensive nature makes it hard for women without sponsors to break through. The subtle gender bias on the grid persists, with some male racers uncomfortable being beaten by female competitors.

But every lap they complete, every race they finish, and every podium they claim makes the path easier for the next generation of Filipino women who dream of speed.