Meet The Women Making Waves Behind The Scenes At Dubai Autodrome's Motorsport Events

Motorsport has long been the domain of revving engines, high-octane racing, and, until recently, a man's world pit lane. Walk along the Dubai Autodrome asphalt these days, and you can't help but feel the tide is turning—it's a one led by female drivers Dr. Sandra Mrad and Maha Younes. These two pioneers aren't merely holding their own in a high-adrenaline, risk-reward sport; they're shattering the image of who sits on the trackside.

As International Women's Day approaches, their stories are a testament of determination, drive, and the new face of motor sports.

Speed is not thrills for Dr. Sandra Mrad, it's duty. Her duty as Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Dubai Autodrome is to ensure all high-speed activities are safe ones. That includes waiting to step in when there's an accident, injury, or medical issue that requires the services of precisely like a driver has to negotiate a hairpin turn.

Bringing her Autodrome job together with being an Emergency Medicine Consultant at American Hospital Dubai, Dr. Sandra is well-suited to those critical moments when all that counts is seconds. "In a normal hospital setting, it's more of a casual affair," she says. "Being trackside is being bang in the middle of things. There's speed of thought, collaboration, and specialist know-how in getting drivers safe."

She's not just there for the medical emergencies—she's a motorsport enthusiast through and through. "The Asian Le Mans is one of my favorite races," she confesses. "It's the ultimate mix of speed, strategy, and endurance." Her enthusiasm isn't limited to the race itself but to the engineering and expertise available, proving that her role is not merely safety—it's being part of a fraternity that makes human and mechanical possibility a reality.

A Different Line of Defense

While Dr. Sandra gets the medical team in order, Maha Younes has a different line of defense—a different track record of some sort that necessitates vigilance and swift response at all times. As a Race Marshall, Maha oversees that races flow smoothly and most importantly, securely.

"Racemarshalling is not all about flag-waving," maintains Maha. "It's upholding safety standards, good communication, and being prepared to act in a matter of seconds." An experienced hand, she has been doing it for six years in addition to her full-time employment at a private firm.

Motorsport, she explains, is not just a job—it's a close-knit family. "It's a big, close-knit family, full of talented and dedicated professionals. The atmosphere is dynamic, thrilling, and emotional, with every race bringing new challenges and memories to cherish."

Women on the Grid

The presence of Dr. Sandra and Maha at the Dubai Autodrome is not the rule—it's the exception. In the recent Asian Le Mans, one-third of the officials at the event were women, which was unimaginable in motorsport a decade ago.

The women send a clear message: the pit lane is no longer a boy's club. "Believe in yourself, accept challenges, and never let stereotypes dictate your direction," Dr. Sandra dares. "Motorsports medicine is challenging and time-sensitive, but if you have passion and drive, there is space for you here.".

Maha once more states: "Women are in every aspect of this business, from officiating to technical roles and beyond. If you love racing, be more than a spectator—be involved."

More Than a Sport, A Movement

Their tales are not merely ones of individual success but of revolution on a larger scale. Motorsport is evolving, and women are claiming positions much more than just drivers and spectators. From engineers to race directors, the pit lane is being opened.

As the world celebrates International Women's Day, the image of women like Dr. Sandra and Maha racing on the track is not an act—it's a preview to what is next. A tomorrow where speed, talent, and passion drive the sport, not gender.

And while the engines rev for the next major race at Dubai Autodrome, one thing is sure: these women are not just keeping pace—they're driving the movement forward.