Klara Kowalczyk

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  Klara Kowalczyk is a 13-year-old Polish karting prodigy who began racing at age 7 and has quickly risen to compete at world championship levels in her pursuit to become the first woman in Formula One since 1976.

  EARLY YEARS

  Born in Poland, Klara started karting in the summer of 2017, initially racing in her home country before moving to competitions in Italy. Her passion for motorsport was sparked by watching the movie “Rush” about the Hunt-Lauda rivalry, while her father became instrumental in supporting her racing activities and handling logistics. To accommodate her racing schedule, her school provided an individualized program with 12 hours of one-on-one classes weekly[1].

  EARLY SUCCESS

  In 2021-2022, Kowalczyk raced for the Fernando Alonso Kart factory team and had the opportunity to train with Fernando Alonso himself at his center in Oviedo, Spain[5]. She earned the title of 2nd vice-champion in her age category at the 2022 Polish Karting Championships[2]. In 2023, she was selected by the FIA Women’s Commission as the most promising 12-14 year old female driver to represent the organization in the prestigious FIA Academy Trophy[1][5]. Her move to the factory CRG Racing Team in 2023 elevated her competition level, culminating in an impressive 6th place finish at the 2024 FIA World Karting Championship against 36 competitors[3].

  NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2021: Participated in the 32° Andrea Margutti Trophy – 60 Mini with Kidix, finishing 37th[4].
  • 2022: Finished third in her age category at the Polish Karting Championships[1].
  • 2022: Trained with Fernando Alonso’s factory team in Oviedo, Spain[1].
  • 2023: Joined factory CRG Racing Team competing in the WSK Super Master Series – OK Junior[4].
  • 2023: Represented Poland in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy, finishing 12th with 39 points[4].
  • 2023/2024: Joined British karting team Ricky Flynn Motorsport[1][2].
  • 2024: Secured 6th place at the FIA World Karting Championship[3].
  • 2024: Joined Diverse Extreme Team (DEXT) as a sponsored athlete[1].

  REPUTATION

  Despite her young age, Klara has established herself as one of the most promising female talents in karting. FIA motorsport commentator Jake Sanson has specifically noted her potential to reach the top of the sport[5]. She’s recognized for her unique approach to racing, including her focus on physical strength tailored to her gender differences[1]. Her resilience has been demonstrated through overcoming challenges like hearing loss in 2022 while maintaining her competitive edge[4].

  FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

  Kowalczyk aims to become the first woman to race in Formula One since 1976 and the first Polish driver since Robert Kubica[2]. Her partnership with Diverse Extreme Team is designed to support her international career advancement beyond karting[2][5]. In her own words, she dreams of not only reaching Formula One but also “being a good driver to make history” and potentially becoming a world champion, believing that her success could pave the way for other women in the sport[1].

  References:

  I’m Really Happy When I’m Driving – Paddock Sorority
  Klara Kowalczyk – Diverse Extreme Team
  Klara Kowalczyk’s Instagram Post (September 20, 2024)
  Karting Competition Records
  Klara Kowalczyk sets sights on Formula One – Downforce Radio