Naomi Schiff
Formula racing // UK
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Naomi Schiff conquered karting, Formula Volkswagen, and GT racing with championship wins in China’s Clio Cup and KTM X-Bow GT4 before becoming Sky Sports F1’s diversity champion.
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Naomi Schiff is a trailblazing racer who conquered multiple motorsports categories before becoming a powerful voice for diversity and inclusion in racing. Now working as a Sky Sports F1 presenter, she continues to break barriers while championing women’s representation in the sport.
EARLY YEARS
Born on May 18, 1994, in Belgium to parents David and Alice Schiff, Naomi holds dual Belgian and Rwandan nationality—a heritage that would later shape her perspective on motorsports diversity. When she was just four years old, her family relocated to South Africa, where she would spend her formative years. Her father David was a racing driver himself, though he deliberately avoided pushing his daughter toward the sport. That hands-off approach worked perfectly. At eleven, Naomi climbed into her first kart and immediately felt the addictive pull of speed and competition. What started as curiosity quickly evolved into something much more serious when she began outpacing her father’s times—prompting him to sell his own kart and focus entirely on supporting her burgeoning career.
OTHER INTERESTS
While motorsports dominated her focus, Naomi has expanded her media presence beyond traditional racing coverage. She co-hosted “BANGERS: CARS OF THE PEOPLE” alongside British rapper Tinie Tempah, showcasing her ability to connect automotive culture with mainstream entertainment. Now based in the UK, she has embraced her role as a television presenter while maintaining strong connections to the racing world that shaped her.
EARLY SUCCESS
From karting, Naomi progressed to single-seater racing with Formula Volkswagen in South Africa, where she honed the technical skills that would serve her throughout her career. Her big breakthrough came in 2014 when she claimed victory in the Clio Cup China Series—a achievement that announced her arrival as a serious competitor on the international stage. The following year, she doubled down on her success by winning the KTM X-Bow GT4 championship, proving her versatility across different racing categories and car types.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2014: Winner, Clio Cup China Series
- 2015: Winner, KTM X-Bow GT4 championship
- 2018: Second place finish, 24 Hours of Nürburgring
- 2019: Competed in the W Series
- 2020: Appointed diversity and inclusion ambassador for the W Series
INSPIRATIONS
Lewis Hamilton stands as a primary role model for Naomi, representing not just racing excellence but also the power of diversity in motorsports. Her father’s quiet support during her early years taught her the value of encouragement without pressure, while her own experiences as a mixed-race woman in a predominantly white, male sport have fueled her passion for creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in racing.
REPUTATION
Schiff has earned recognition far beyond her race wins, establishing herself as one of motorsports’ most articulate advocates for diversity and inclusion. Her appointment as the W Series diversity and inclusion ambassador in 2020 reflected the industry’s recognition of her leadership abilities and authentic voice. As a Sky Sports F1 presenter, she brings both racing credibility and fresh perspective to Formula 1 coverage. Unfortunately, her high-profile media role has also exposed her to online abuse, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by women in motorsports media. Her willingness to speak openly about feeling initially wary of racing due to her mixed-race background has resonated with many aspiring racers who don’t see themselves represented in traditional motorsports imagery.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Having stepped away from active racing due to financial constraints, Naomi has transitioned into a new chapter focused on media and family. She married Alexandre Dedieu in a civil ceremony in Paris in September 2024 and is expecting her first child. While her racing days appear behind her, her influence on the sport continues to grow through her broadcasting work and advocacy efforts, positioning her to shape motorsports culture from behind the microphone rather than behind the wheel.
References:
Racing Career Overview
Early Career and Background
Personal Life and Current Status
W Series and Broadcasting Career
Diversity and Inclusion Work
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