Inès Taittinger
WEC racing // France
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Inès Taittinger discovered racing at 18 and became one of the few women to compete at Le Mans in 2016, proving that late starts and sheer determination can crack motorsports’ toughest gates.
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My racing journey started very late, when I was 18. I was offered the opportunity to drive a Ferrari GT and got hooked ever since.
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FULL BIO: Inès Taittinger
Meet Inès Taittinger, the French endurance racer who discovered her passion for motorsports at 18 and went on to become one of the few women to compete at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Her late start didn’t stop her from building a respectable career in prototype racing, proving that determination and the right mentorship can overcome any timeline.
EARLY YEARS
Born on April 7, 1990, in France, Inès grew up in a family already connected to motorsports through her father, Hugues Taittinger, who raced himself. Her godfather, Philippe Alliot—a former Formula 1 and Le Mans driver—would become instrumental in her racing journey. Unlike most professional drivers who start karting as children, Inès didn’t discover her racing passion until she was offered the opportunity to drive a Ferrari GT at age 18. That first taste of speed behind the wheel changed everything, and she got “hooked ever since,” as she later recalled.
OTHER INTERESTS
Beyond the racetrack, Inès is deeply committed to charitable work, particularly supporting Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, a French charity that helps children with heart defects. This cause holds personal significance for her, as she was born with cardiac problems herself. Since 2013, she has also served as an official ambassador for the city of Touquet-Paris-Plage, France.
EARLY SUCCESS
Taittinger made her racing debut in 2009 at age 19 in the VdeV Endurance Series, driving a Ligier prototype alongside her father at Magny-Cours, where they finished 22nd overall. Her late start meant she had to work harder than most to develop the physical stamina required for endurance racing. “My real weakness in the early days was essentially physical. I would finish my stints in a state of exhaustion,” she admitted, leading her to implement rigorous fitness training of up to two hours daily. Under the coaching of Philippe Alliot, who “understood very early that something could be done with my driving,” she quickly progressed through the ranks. By 2013, she was scoring multiple podiums in the French Tourism Endurance Trophy, driving a Norma 20FC prototype for the CD Sport team.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2009: Racing debut in VdeV Endurance Series at Magny-Cours, finishing 22nd overall with father Hugues.
- 2010: Continued in VdeV with Blue One team, scoring points at Aragon across five races.
- 2013: Multiple podium finishes in French Tourism Endurance Trophy with CD Sport team; competed in 25 Heures de Spa-Francorchamps VW Fun Cup.
- 2016: Competed in European Le Mans Series with Pegasus Racing in Morgan Nissan LMP2; participated in 24 Hours of Le Mans, likely the only woman in that year’s race.
- 2019: Attempted W Series qualification but did not progress beyond evaluation day.
INSPIRATIONS
Inès credits her racing journey to two key figures: her father Hugues, who introduced her to motorsports, and her godfather Philippe Alliot, whose coaching and belief in her abilities proved pivotal. Alliot’s experience as both a Formula 1 and Le Mans veteran provided her with invaluable guidance as she navigated the competitive world of endurance racing.
REPUTATION
Taittinger has earned recognition as a competent endurance driver who overcame a late start through determination and expert coaching. Her commitment to fitness training to address early physical limitations demonstrates the kind of professionalism that has earned respect in the paddock. Media coverage consistently highlights her as a notable female racer and Le Mans participant, with no documented controversies throughout her career. Her involvement with cardiac charity work has contributed to a positive public image, showing her commitment to causes beyond racing.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
As of 2025, no publicly announced racing contracts or team affiliations have been documented. Her current racing status and future plans remain undisclosed, with no recent statements about continuing her career or potential retirement.
References:
Daily Sportscar March 2016 Profile
Wikipedia Entry
Speedqueens Blog 2016
Motorsport.com
24 Hours of Le Mans Official News 2016
SnapLap Racing Statistics
Have Inès updates or corrections? Please let us know – We’d love to keep this profile current.
