Caitlin May

Caitlin Wood became the first Australian woman to win a class outright at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, conquering one of motorsport’s most demanding circuits in 2023. From karting in New South Wales to racing GT cars in Europe and representing Australia in the W Series, she’s built a career on guts, ambition, and an absolute refusal to back down.

EARLY YEARS

Born January 15, 1997, in Maitland, New South Wales, Australia, Caitlin Wood’s path from regional Australia to the racing circuits of Europe is one defined by sheer determination rather than silver-spoon privilege[5]. The details of her childhood—family background, socioeconomic circumstances, early exposure to motorsports—remain largely undocumented, but what’s clear is that she found her way to karting and never looked back. Moving from karting to Formula Ford, Wood demonstrated early on that she had the raw talent and competitive fire necessary to make it in a brutally expensive, male-dominated sport[2].

At barely 18 years old, Wood made a decision that would have terrified most people twice her age: she packed up and moved to Germany by herself to pursue racing full-time[2]. “At kind of fresh 18, I’d moved to Germany by myself and committed to trying to make it work,” she recalled. “So it was very daunting”[2]. Alone in a foreign country, navigating a new language and culture while trying to establish herself in the unforgiving world of European motorsport, Wood faced challenges that would have sent many aspiring racers straight back home. But she didn’t go home. She stayed, she hustled, and she raced.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the cockpit, Wood has carved out a role as a racing coach and driver instructor, working at circuits including PalmerSport at Bedford Autodrome[1]. This work allows her to share her expertise with aspiring drivers while also keeping her skills razor-sharp between competitive outings. She’s also served as a Puma brand ambassador since 2021, when the athletic brand partnered with W Series[1]. Outside of these professional commitments, Wood keeps her personal interests and hobbies largely private—no public record exists of creative pursuits, volunteer work, academic passions, or recreational hobbies that might round out the picture of who she is when she’s not behind the wheel.

EARLY SUCCESS

Wood’s progression through the racing ranks followed the traditional European path: karting, Formula Ford, then on to GT4 and GT3 competition after relocating to Germany[2]. Her first major breakthrough came when she competed in an endurance championship, scoring a podium finish at Mazano in the Silver Cup class during her very first race with her teammates[2]. “Podium in first race at Mazano in Silver Cup class,” she noted—a strong debut that validated her decision to chase racing across continents[2].

But early success didn’t come easy or consistently. Wood faced what she diplomatically describes as “an unfortunate year with a few incidences” that resulted in few race finishes[2]. “Just ’cause that’s kind of racing,” she explained with the philosophical acceptance that comes from surviving the sport’s brutal learning curve[2]. Fundraising proved another constant challenge—as it does for nearly every racer without a trust fund backing their dreams[2]. These “bumps along the road” could have derailed her career before it truly began, but Wood kept showing up, kept improving, and kept finding ways to get on track[1].

Her big opportunity came with the W Series, where she represented Australia as a reserve driver. At the fifth round at Spa-Francorchamps—one of the most technically demanding circuits in the world—Wood jumped into the car mid-season and immediately qualified third[1]. “I think the highlight for me in the W Series was qualifying third at Spa as a reserve driver,” she said. “It was a really cool moment for me because I wasn’t in the car for the whole season, it was the fifth round and I jumped in and I was able to perform, so I was really really quite happy with that, and being able to race alongside Formula One was also a really cool career moment”[1]. Being in a room with 70 other female drivers was revelatory: “Sometimes you think you’re the only one, don’t you? ‘Cause you are a minority. So to be put in a room with, you know, 70 other female drivers was pretty cool”[2].

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2023: Became the first Australian woman to win a class outright at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, racing a BMW production car—a historic achievement she and her team didn’t even realize they’d accomplished until after the fact[1][2].
• W Series: Qualified third at Spa-Francorchamps as a reserve driver during the fifth round, demonstrating her ability to deliver competitive performance despite limited seat time[1].
• Porsche Sprint Challenge GB: Secured three podium finishes in her class during the first round—two second-place finishes and one third—despite racing an older-generation Clubsport Porsche against newer RS models[1].
• 2024 Indian Racing League: Competed for the Bangalore Speedsters team, which finished sixth overall out of 12 teams; achieved fifth-place finishes at the Chennai Street Circuit and other events, including a memorable night race under lights[1][5].
• Bathurst 12 Hour: Completed stints in one of Australia’s most prestigious endurance races[1].
• 2021: Named Puma brand ambassador in conjunction with the athletic company’s W Series partnership[1].

The Nürburgring win deserves special mention—not just because Wood made history as the first Australian woman to win a class there, but because of how she describes the experience. “Driving into the dark at the Nordschleife over sunset is probably one of the coolest stints Caitlin has ever done,” she reflected[1]. The Nürburgring Nordschleife, known as “The Green Hell,” is 12.9 miles of elevation changes, blind corners, and unforgiving barriers where even the most experienced drivers struggle. To win there—especially transitioning from daylight to darkness during her stint—is the kind of achievement that earns permanent respect in racing circles.

INSPIRATIONS

Wood has not publicly discussed specific racing drivers, family members, coaches, or mentors who inspired her career path. No interviews reveal the names of childhood heroes, pivotal races that sparked her interest, or books and films that motivated her to pursue motorsport. What emerges instead is a picture of someone who appears to have found her own way—making the leap to Europe at 18 without a clear roadmap, learning through experience, setback, and persistence rather than following in anyone’s footsteps. In interviews, Wood focuses on the work itself rather than the mythology of inspiration, offering practical advice to young women interested in racing rather than romanticizing how she got there[2].

REPUTATION

Wood has built a reputation as a driver who can deliver competitive results even when circumstances aren’t ideal—jumping into unfamiliar cars mid-season, racing older equipment against newer machinery, and consistently finding pace despite limited testing and development time. Her qualifying third at Spa as a W Series reserve demonstrated this perfectly: she had to perform immediately, without the benefit of running the previous four rounds, and she delivered[1]. Similarly, her podium finishes in the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB came while racing an older-generation car against superior equipment, proving that driver skill can still overcome technical disadvantages[1].

Beyond her on-track performance, Wood has emerged as an advocate for female representation in motorsport, speaking openly about the importance of visibility and community for women in racing. Her work as a racing coach and instructor extends her influence beyond her own competitive career, giving her a platform to mentor the next generation of drivers[1]. While direct quotes from peers, competitors, and team owners about Wood’s abilities aren’t publicly available, her continued opportunities across multiple series—from GT racing to single-seaters to endurance competition—suggest that teams and organizers recognize her talent and professionalism. The fact that she’s competed everywhere from the Nürburgring to Indian street circuits to Bathurst speaks to both her versatility and her willingness to race wherever opportunities arise.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Wood has stated publicly that she “wants to keep pushing to do more,” expressing pride in her achievements while making clear that she’s not done yet[1]. Specific details about her 2025 racing schedule, team affiliations, or contract signings remain undocumented as of early 2026. Her last confirmed competitive outing was the 2024 Indian Racing League season with the Bangalore Speedsters[5]. Whether she’ll return to GT competition, pursue additional single-seater opportunities, or focus on endurance racing—where her Nürburgring success and Bathurst experience position her well—remains to be seen. What’s clear is that Wood has no intention of settling for what she’s already accomplished. For a driver who moved to Germany alone at 18 with nothing but ambition and a dream, “keep pushing to do more” sounds less like a platitude and more like a promise.

References:

Driven Women Magazine – Caitlin Wood on Life Racing and the Future
Gran Touring Motorsports – Screen to Speed: Caitlin Wood
Wikipedia – Caitlin Wood