Interview
‘A breakthrough of my personal dream' – Shi Wei on becoming F1 ACADEMY’s first Chinese Wild Card driver
On the eve of achieving her dream of racing in F1 ACADEMY, Shi Wei is determined to use her experience as the Shanghai Wild Card to encourage and empower women in the sport on home soil.
Becoming the first Chinese driver to race in the series, Shi values the significance of this moment — not only for her own ambitions but to showcase the talent of female Chinese racers on a global stage.
“This is a realisation and breakthrough of my personal dream,” she began. “Participating in F1 ACADEMY as a Wild Card entry is an important milestone in my career, fulfilling my dream of competing on a higher-level stage with top-level drivers.
“For me, participating in this event is not only a breakthrough for Chinese women in motorsports, but also an important step in breaking the stereotype that motorsports are male-dominated. I hope to prove through my performance that women can also achieve outstanding results in motorsports and encourage more women to bravely try racing.”
She added: “It is a very good opportunity to display a more diverse perspective — that women in motorsport also have power and presence!”
A late starter to racing, having been first introduced to the sport in 2020, Shi brings with her a mix of experience across one-make series, GT racing and Formula 4 that she hopes will allow her to adapt quickly to the Grand Prix weekends.
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After completing 182 laps in pre-season testing around the Shanghai International Circuit, there have been encouraging signs for Shi.
“I hope that I can quickly adapt to this car, master this car, and then push it to its limits,” explained Shi. “In the race, I hope to demonstrate the best of my ability, learn more from other drivers, and achieve a satisfactory result.”
Reflecting on the chance to race in front of the Formula 1 crowds on a Grand Prix weekend, Shi acknowledged the size of the task ahead of her but is relishing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“It’s about bearing a sense of responsibility and a mission,” she remarked. “As China’s first F1 ACADEMY Wild Card driver, I carry many expectations and responsibilities.
"This race is not only an opportunity for my personal competition, but also a stage to showcase the spirit and image of Chinese female drivers, so the pressure is quite high. The atmosphere of racing at the venue, along with the cheers of the fans, will definitely make this an unforgettable experience for me.”