Sara Matsui

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LUNA FLUXA CROSS Makes History as First Female International Karting Champion Since 1966

December 5, 2024

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• FULL BIO: Sara Matsui

   

  Sara Matsui is a promising Japanese karting talent who has rapidly risen through competitive racing ranks, earning recognition as one of just three female drivers ever selected for the prestigious Williams Racing Driver Academy at only 13 years old.

  EARLY YEARS

  Born in 2010 in Japan, Sara began her racing journey remarkably early, climbing behind the wheel of her first kart at just six years old. While specific details about her family background remain private, her early introduction to motorsport clearly laid the foundation for what would become a promising racing career.

  EARLY SUCCESS

  Matsui’s talent became evident quickly as she began collecting podium finishes in Japan’s domestic karting scene. She secured impressive results in the JAF Kart Championship, finishing third in both the FR-Jr Cadets and FP-Jr classes. Her consistent performances in the JAF Local Kart Championship FS-125/X30 Division further demonstrated her growing skill, as did her two podium finishes in the GPR Karting Junior class. These domestic successes established her as one of Japan’s most promising young drivers, setting the stage for international competition.

  NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2022: Selected as a Girls on Track Rising Stars Finalist[2][5].
  • 2023: Finished 7th out of 24 global competitors in the OK-N Junior Champions of the Future Academy Program[2][4].
  • 2023: Multiple podium finishes in the JAF Local Kart Championship FS-125/X30 Division[2][4].
  • 2023: Secured two podium finishes in the GPR Karting Junior class[2][4].
  • 2024: Signed to the Williams Racing Driver Academy, becoming just the third female driver in its history[4].
  • 2024: Placed sixth in her European debut at the WSK Champions Cup with Kart Republic[3].
  • 2024: Competed in the F1 Academy-supported Champions of the Future series[2][4].

  REPUTATION

  Though still in the early stages of her career, Sara has already earned recognition for her exceptional racecraft and composure under pressure. Williams Racing Sporting Director Sven Smeets publicly acknowledged her as “one of the rising stars in karting,” highlighting the promising results she’s delivered in competitive environments. Her racing style is characterized by consistent performance and strategic thinking rather than flashy maneuvers, earning respect from competitors and teams alike. As one of the few female drivers competing at her level, Matsui is quietly challenging gender barriers in motorsport through performance rather than proclamation.

  FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

  For 2025, Sara is stepping up to compete in the highly competitive OK class of karting, representing a significant progression in her development. With the continued support of the Williams Racing Driver Academy, she aims to gain valuable European racing experience while further honing her racecraft against international competition. This experience is critical as she builds toward potential advancement to single-seater racing categories in the coming years. While specific future series beyond karting have not been publicly confirmed, her current trajectory and Williams Racing connection position her well for continued advancement up the motorsport ladder.

  References:

  Williams Racing Academy Announcement
  JAF Kart Championship Results
  Champions Cup Performance Report
  Williams Racing Official Press Release
  Girls on Track Rising Stars Program