Bia Figueiredo

Ana Beatriz Caselato Gomes de Figueiredo—better known as Bia Figueiredo—is a Brazilian racing driver who shattered glass ceilings in karting, Indy Lights, and most recently, Copa Truck, becoming the first woman to win races in multiple major international series.

EARLY YEARS

Born on March 18, 1985, in São Paulo, Brazil, Bia started racing at age eight in 1994, diving headfirst into karting.[1] By the time she was twelve, she was being coached by Nailor Campos, a Brazilian motorsport legend known for shaping some of the country’s biggest racing names.[2] It didn’t take long for her to start rewriting the record books—Bia became the first Brazilian female to break every karting record in the country, a feat that put her squarely on the map before she even hit her teens.[3]

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the track, Bia has served as a mentor to young drivers, including Antonella Bassani, whom she began coaching in 2019.[4] She’s also been involved with high-profile sponsorships, including partnerships with TAG Heuer—a brand she gravitated toward because of her idol, Ayrton Senna—and Richard Mille, whose commitment to innovation she admires.[5]

EARLY SUCCESS

In 2003, Bia transitioned from karting to Formula Renault Brazil, where she earned Rookie of the Year honors.[6] By 2005, she placed third in the championship, becoming the first woman to land on the podium in the series.[6] Her trajectory was clear: she wasn’t just competing—she was winning. Her karting dominance had been a preview; now, she was proving herself in open-wheel racing against some of Brazil’s toughest competitors.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2003: Named Rookie of the Year in Formula Renault Brazil.[6]
• 2005: Placed third in the Formula Renault Brazil championship, becoming the first woman to reach the podium in the series.[6]
• 2008: Became the first woman to win a race in the Indy Lights series, taking victory in Nashville.[7]
• 2019: Competed in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship at the Rolex 24 at Daytona with an all-female team.[8]
• 2020: Returned to IMSA racing at the 12 Hours of Sebring just 50 days after giving birth, competing with an all-female lineup.[9]
• 2021: Teamed up with Bruna Tomaselli and Carol Aranha to become the first all-female crew to compete in the Porsche Cup Endurance Series in Brazil.[10]
• 2023: Scored three pole positions in the Truck Series Brazil with the Mercedes official team and became the first woman to win in the series.[11]
• 2024: Won the Copa Truck Elite Class championship title.[12]

INSPIRATIONS

Bia has cited Ayrton Senna as a major influence on her career, which led her to purchase a TAG Heuer watch in his honor.[5] While she hasn’t publicly detailed other specific role models, her commitment to mentoring the next generation of female racers suggests she’s determined to be the kind of trailblazer she once looked up to.

REPUTATION

Bia is considered one of the top female drivers in the world, having competed in some of the most prestigious international championships, including IndyCar, IMSA, Stock Car Brasil, and Copa Truck.[13] In recent years, she’s taken on a leadership role off the track as well: she was appointed President of the Brazilian Automobile Confederation’s new Women’s Automobile Commission, cementing her influence in advocating for women in motorsport.[14] Her willingness to return to racing just weeks after childbirth—and to compete on all-female teams in high-stakes endurance races—has earned her respect not just for her speed, but for her grit.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Bia is currently racing on an all-female team in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Series in the U.S. from 2021 through 2025.[15] Beyond competition, her role as President of Brazil’s Women’s Automobile Commission positions her to shape the future of female participation in motorsport across the country, supporting young drivers and creating pathways that didn’t exist when she started out.

REFERENCES

[1] Bleacher Report – Indy 500: Who Is Ana Beatriz, and Why Should We Care About Her?
[2] DIVEBOMB Motorsport – Women Spotlight Wednesday: Bia Figueiredo
[3] Watchonista – A Woman’s Take On A Man’s World – Meet Bia Figueiredo
[4] Racers Behind the Helmet – Antonella Bassani makes impressive StockCar debut
[5] Watchonista – A Woman’s Take On A Man’s World – Meet Bia Figueiredo
[6] Bia Racing – Sobre a Bia
[7] Sports Girls Club – Bia Figueiredo Making History: First Woman to Win Both the Indy Lights Series and Copa Truck
[8] Daily Sportscar – MSR To Field All-Female Driver Crew In 2019 IMSA Season
[9] Racers Behind the Helmet – Bia Figueiredo reunites with Legge and Nielsen for 12H of Sebring
[10] Racers Behind the Helmet – Bruna Tomaselli, Bia Figueiredo & Carol Aranha make Brazilian motorsport history
[11] Bia Racing – Sobre a Bia
[12] Wikipedia – 2024 Copa Truck season
[13] Bia Racing – Sobre a Bia
[14] Racers Behind the Helmet – Bia Figueiredo appointed President of Brazilian Women’s Motorsport Commission
[15] Watchonista – A Woman’s Take On A Man’s World – Meet Bia Figueiredo