Beitske Visser

Beitske Visser is the 2019 W Series champion and the first female driver ever signed to the Red Bull Junior Team—a Dutch racer who’s spent over a decade proving that talent doesn’t have a gender.

EARLY YEARS

Born September 10, 1995, in Dronten, a small municipality in the Netherlands’ Flevoland province, Visser grew up in a supportive, middle-to-upper-middle-class family. Her father, Frits Visser, a businessman in the transport and logistics sector, handed her a go-kart when she was six years old. That single gift ignited a passion that would define her life. From that moment, she knew she wanted to race—and Frits made sure she had the means to do it. He became her primary mentor and financial backer, supporting her through the expensive ranks of karting and into the even more costly world of single-seaters. The Netherlands has a strong karting tradition and infrastructure, and Visser took full advantage, progressing through Dutch karting circuits with determination and skill.

OTHER INTERESTS

Outside the cockpit, Visser maintains the rigorous fitness regimen required of professional drivers—cycling, running, neck strengthening, and core training are all part of her routine. She’s also an active participant in sim racing and esports, competing in virtual racing events including the W Series Esports League during the COVID-19 lockdown. Her social media presence shows glimpses of travel, beach outings, and winter sports during off-seasons. She’s been spotted with a dog and has shared photography on Instagram, though she generally keeps her personal life private. Visser is also a vocal advocate for women in motorsport, participating in FIA Women in Motorsport Commission initiatives and speaking openly about the importance of supporting the next generation of female drivers.

EARLY SUCCESS

Visser’s karting career spanned from 2001 to 2011, taking her through Dutch national championships and onto the European and World Championship stages in categories like KF3 and KF2. By 2011, she was ready for single-seaters. She tested in the Formula BMW Talent Cup and various single-seater programs before committing to ADAC Formel Masters in 2012, where she scored multiple podium finishes. In 2013, she competed in Formula Renault 2.0 Alps and NEC, honing her racecraft. Then came the breakthrough: in 2013, Red Bull Racing signed her to their prestigious Junior Team, making her the first female driver ever to join the program. It was a historic moment that put her on the international stage. The following year, 2014, she made more history by becoming the first female driver to score points in the highly competitive Formula Renault 3.5 Series, finishing eighth at Spa-Francorchamps. She remained with Red Bull until 2015, spending those formative years learning what it takes to compete at the highest levels.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2013: First female driver signed to Red Bull Junior Team[1].
• 2014: First female driver to score points in Formula Renault 3.5 Series at Spa-Francorchamps[2].
• 2018: Signed as factory-supported driver with BMW Motorsport[3].
• 2019: Won inaugural W Series championship, earning $500,000 in prize money with two race victories including at Misano and Brands Hatch[4].
• 2021: Competed in DTM with T3 Motorsport driving a Lamborghini Huracán GT3[5].
• 2022: Finished second in W Series championship before the series ceased operations mid-season[6].
• 2023–2024: Competed at 24 Hours of Le Mans with Iron Dames in LMGT3 class[7].

INSPIRATIONS

Visser grew up idolizing Michael Schumacher, watching his dominance in Formula 1 during her childhood. Her father, Frits, was her primary mentor, introducing her to karting and supporting her career from day one. The Netherlands’ rich motorsport heritage—having produced multiple F1 drivers—provided both inspiration and a proven pathway. During her time with Red Bull, she worked under Helmut Marko and the Junior Team staff, gaining invaluable professional development. More broadly, she’s motivated by the pure love of racing, the challenge of self-improvement, and the desire to represent her country while proving that women can compete at the highest levels of motorsport.

REPUTATION

Visser is regarded as one of the most accomplished female racing drivers of her generation, respected in the paddock for her technical feedback, car development abilities, and consistent racecraft. She’s known for strong one-lap qualifying pace and skilled wheel-to-wheel racing. Her ability to transition successfully between single-seaters and GT racing demonstrates adaptability and professionalism. BMW valued her technical input enough to maintain a factory relationship for years, and her current role with Iron Dames in FIA WEC and European Le Mans Series underscores her credibility in endurance racing. She maintains a clean professional reputation with no significant controversies, and her social media following—over 50,000 on Instagram—reflects her standing among fans, particularly in the Netherlands. She’s often featured in both motorsport-specific and mainstream publications as a barrier-breaking driver, though she’s been clear about wanting to be judged on lap times, not gender.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

As of 2024, Visser is focused on GT and endurance racing with Iron Dames, competing in FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series events. While her full 2025 program awaits official announcements, she’s expected to continue with the Iron Dames program, driving Lamborghini machinery. Her stated long-term ambitions include achieving an overall or class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and continuing her longevity in professional motorsport. She remains committed to advocacy for women in racing, balancing competitive goals with her role as a visible, vocal supporter of the next generation.

References:

Red Bull Junior Team Official Announcement
Formula Renault 3.5 Series Records
BMW Motorsport Official Communications
W Series Official Records
DTM Official Entry Records
W Series 2022 Championship Standings
FIA World Endurance Championship Entry Lists