Manu Clauset

Manu Clauset is a sixteen-year-old Brazilian racing driver making serious waves in South American karting and touring car competition, collecting podium finishes with the kind of consistency that turns heads in a sport where women remain vastly outnumbered.

EARLY YEARS

Manu Clauset was born in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, and grew up in a motorsports-oriented environment that would ultimately shape her career trajectory. Her entry into competitive racing came through karting, the traditional proving ground for aspiring drivers worldwide. Like many young racers, she began competing in regional karting championships around the Campinas area, quickly demonstrating the raw talent and determination that would define her early career.

The Campinas region has a rich motorsports tradition, and Clauset found herself competing against predominantly male competitors from the outset. Her family’s support proved crucial during these formative years, with her father playing a particularly significant role in her racing journey. In interviews, she has spoken about racing with thoughts of her father in mind, suggesting a deep personal connection between family and her competitive drive[1].

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Clauset’s interests outside of motorsports has not been extensively documented in available sources.

EARLY SUCCESS

Clauset’s competitive breakthrough came through the V11 Aldeia Cup karting series, where she established herself as a consistent podium contender. Her debut in the championship was nothing short of remarkable—she secured seven podium finishes in her first seven events, an extraordinary achievement that immediately marked her as a driver to watch[2]. This consistency is rare at any level of motorsport, let alone for a teenage driver in the early stages of her career.

In the V11 Aldeia Cup, she competed in the F4 Jr Rookie category, where she finished second overall in the championship standings[3]. This vice-championship position came after a hard-fought season where she battled for wins and maintained her podium streak. Her performance caught the attention of not just the Brazilian karting community but also those tracking emerging female talent in motorsports across South America.

Building on her karting success, Clauset made the significant step up to touring car racing in 2024. She made her touring car debut at Londrina in the Race Cup series, driving for the Campineira team[4]. This transition from karting to cars is a critical juncture for any young driver, and her ability to adapt to the heavier, more complex machinery of touring cars demonstrated her versatility and ambition. The move also reflected her determination to progress through the motorsports ladder rather than remain exclusively in karting.

Her karting success led to participation in the FIA Girls on Track Brasil program, a significant opportunity for young female drivers. The program, developed with Brazilian collaboration, serves as a mentoring and development initiative aimed at supporting women in motorsports[5]. Clauset competed in the karting selection event for the program and finished in third position, a strong result against other top young female drivers in Brazil[6]. While she didn’t win the selection, her third-place finish validated her place among the country’s most promising young female racing talents.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2024: Achieved seven consecutive podium finishes in her first seven V11 Aldeia Cup karting events[2].
• 2024: Finished second in the V11 Aldeia Cup F4 Jr Rookie championship[3].
• 2024: Made touring car debut at Londrina in the Race Cup series[4].
• 2024: Secured third place in the FIA Girls on Track Brasil karting selection event[6].
• 2024: Competed in the Paraná Cup racing series[7].

INSPIRATIONS

Available sources do not provide specific information about Clauset’s racing inspirations or role models.

REPUTATION

Within Brazilian motorsports circles, Clauset has earned recognition as “uma nova estrela na constelação de mulheres no esporte a motor”—a new star in the constellation of women in motorsport[8]. This characterization reflects both her competitive achievements and her symbolic importance as a young woman succeeding in a traditionally male-dominated arena. Her consistent podium performances have established her as a serious competitor rather than merely a novelty, a distinction that matters enormously in a sport where female drivers often face skepticism about their abilities.

Her partnership with Praga Kart Brasil has been mutually beneficial, with the team celebrating her podium finishes and supporting her development[9]. The fact that she has secured backing from established teams and programs indicates that industry professionals see genuine potential in her talent. Her participation in FIA-sanctioned development programs further legitimizes her status as an emerging talent worth investing in.

What sets Clauset apart in the eyes of observers is not just her results but her consistency. In motorsports, flashes of brilliance are common; sustained performance is what separates promising drivers from future champions. Her seven-podium streak demonstrated not just speed but also the mental fortitude and racecraft necessary to compete at the front repeatedly. For a driver still in her mid-teens, this maturity behind the wheel suggests significant room for growth as she gains experience.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

As of early 2025, Clauset continues to pursue her motorsports career with an eye toward advancing through the racing ladder. At sixteen, she finds herself at a critical juncture where decisions about which series to compete in and which development path to follow will significantly impact her long-term prospects. Her experience in both karting and touring cars gives her options—she could continue developing in either discipline or potentially explore single-seater racing, which remains the traditional route to the highest levels of motorsport.

The Brazilian motorsports ecosystem offers various pathways for young drivers, from regional touring car championships to national-level single-seater series. Her success in securing spots in development programs like FIA Girls on Track Brasil suggests she has the support structure necessary to continue progressing, though like all young drivers, she will need sustained financial backing and competitive opportunities to advance.

References:

[1] Kartismo: Campineira Manu Clauset correrá de kart pensando no pai

[2] Manu Clauset conquistou seu sétimo pódio em sete eventos desde sua estreia no kartismo

[3] V11 Aldeia Cup Kart: Campineira Manu Clauset termina em segundo na F4 Jr Rookie

[4] Automobilismo Race Cup: Campineira Manu Clauset irá estrear com carro de turismo em Londrina neste fim de semana

[5] Com colaboração brasileira, FIA anuncia novo programa de mentoria para mulheres no automobilismo

[6] Manu Clauset terminou a seletiva de kart FIA Girls on Track Brasil na terceira posição

[7] Manu Clauset, una joven mujer que se luce en la Copa Paraná de Carreras

[8] Manu Clauset: Uma nova estrela na constelação de mulheres no esporte a motor

[9] Praga Kart Brasil e Manu Clauset comemoram pódio na 3ª Etapa da V11 Aldeia Cup