Fabienne Lanz is one of South Africa’s most decorated female kart racers, known for her race-winning pedigree and relentless drive to break boundaries in a male-dominated sport. With dual South African and Swiss nationality, she’s become a champion, mentor, and ambassador for women in motorsport across the continent and beyond.

EARLY YEARS

Born December 10, 1986, in Johannesburg, Fabienne Natascha Lanz had motorsports in her blood from the start. Her father, Peter Lanz, was a former South African Saloon Car Champion who had been racing for nearly 40 years, and he became the driving force behind her passion for the track. Growing up, she wasn’t your typical tomboy—she enjoyed playing with Barbie dolls and taking ballet classes—but she was equally captivated by the roar of engines and the thrill of speed. At nine years old, she started her racing career, and there was no looking back.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the track, Fabienne has channeled her competitive edge and strategic mindset into coaching and mentoring. She’s a Vision Board Specialist who created a world-leading program called “Targets Goals and Rainbows,” designed to help teenagers set and achieve their goals. For over a decade, she’s served as a team member, coach, and mentor to young drivers, particularly girls looking to break into motorsport. She’s also passionate about corporate entertainment, creating customized karting events that bring the excitement of racing to businesses.

EARLY SUCCESS

Fabienne worked her way through the karting ranks with determination and skill. By 2003, she was competing in the RMC South Africa Junior Max series with Apex Racing Karts, finishing fourth. She steadily climbed the ladder, becoming a runner-up in the South African Rotax Max Challenge Championship and winning the Rotax Max Challenge NRKC Championship. Her consistency and speed made her a formidable competitor, and she began qualifying for international events. At the Super Rok World Final in Italy, she paced herself among the top competitors out of 68 drivers who had qualified from around the world, proving she could hold her own on the global stage.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2009: Became the first woman driver to finish on the podium at a Rok Final event in Lonato, Italy[1].
• 2009: Made history as the first lady to ever qualify for the Nivea for Men 24-hour Endurance Kart race at the Kartdrome in Dubai, competing in December[2].
• 2010: Raced at the COSE 24-hour Endurance race at Jesolo Kart track in Italy in March, joining an all-girls team[3].
• 2010: Competed in 24-hour and 12-hour Kart Endurance races at Kartdrome Dubai with the Falcon Team, finishing second in April[4].
• 2015: Led an historic overall Northern Regions Senior Max championship 1-2-3 finish alongside fellow female drivers Ivana Cetinich and Shannon Jackson[5].
• 2016: Won the African Open Karting Championship, becoming the best on the continent in her discipline[6].
• 2016: Finished fourth at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals, catching everyone’s attention with a performance roughly 4.6 seconds off the lead[7].

INSPIRATIONS

Her father, Peter Lanz, played the pivotal role in shaping her racing journey. As a UAE-based Motorsports Consultant with decades of experience, he provided both the technical knowledge and the unwavering support she needed to succeed. Together, they share a combined dream: to mentor young racing drivers on their way to the top of motorsport, whether they’re just starting out in karting or looking to advance in their teens. That shared vision led them to establish a Race Academy focused on developing the next generation of talent.

REPUTATION

Fabienne is known as a veteran karter with a regular race-winning pedigree and unshakeable consistency. At endurance races, she’s earned respect for keeping her pace smooth and steady, typically running in the 1:58.00 to 1:59.00 bracket and only dropping to 2:00.00 when traffic intervened. Her fellow drivers have anointed her with recognition for dominating qualifying sessions—taking pole position, setting the fastest lap in each heat, and winning all three heats in multiple competitions. She’s not just fast; she’s strategic, composed, and fiercely competitive. As a global ambassador for Women in Motorsport and the Tillotson T4 Series, she’s become a voice for breaking down stereotypes and inspiring young girls to pursue their racing dreams. She’s also expanded beyond karting, competing in events like the Backdraft Endurance series and the Formula Gulf 1000 Championship.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Fabienne continues to serve as the appointed “Ladies of T4 Series” ambassador, an initiative developed to encourage and support female participation in karting. She’s actively involved in organizing Girls Camps—three-day intensive programs for girls aged 12 to 20 that teach the fundamentals of motorsport, from driving technique to racecraft. Her mission is clear: to inspire the next generation of female racers and prove that the track is exactly where girls belong. After running a successful kart racing team for 12 years, she’s now focused on mentoring, coaching, and creating opportunities for young women to explore and expand their potential in motorsport.

REFERENCES

Fab Fabienne leaving the men behind – Gulf News
Racing Stats – Fabienne Lanz Racing Official
Fabienne Lanz makes her move into new Formula Gulf Championship – Circuit Pro Digital
Racing Stats – Fabienne Lanz Racing Official
Fabienne Lanz – Motorsport Media
South African Woman Breaks Motorsport Boundaries – VOA News
Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals Daily Report Day 4 – Rotax
Fabienne Lanz Racing Official
Fabienne Lanz: Life As A South African Racing Driver – Women’s Health SA
Profile – Fabienne Lanz Racing Official
Corporate Karting – Target Racing Team
Fabienne Lanz: First. Fast. Female
Race Academy – Fabienne Lanz Racing Official
Tillotson T4 Series and Women in Motorsport global ambassador – Fabienne Lanz Racing Official
T4 Nations Cup 2025 Official Race Report – Tillotson
Meet SA Motor Car Racing Driver, Fabienne Lanz – YouTube