F1: Chequered Flag Chequered Flag Extra: Claire Dubbelman on life as F1’s Deputy Race Director & women in motorsport
Aug 14, 2025
Claire Dubbelman, F1's Deputy Race Director, shares her inspiring journey in a male-dominated field, detailing her rise within the motorsport hierarchy. She talks about the critical role of a race director, managing race safety, and the teamwork involved in high-stakes moments. Passionate about promoting female participation, Claire advocates for greater representation and a supportive culture for women in motorsport. She hopes her position will inspire others and emphasizes the importance of community and resilience in the racing world.
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Day-To-Day Race Control Duties
- Claire Dubbelman describes her role as FIA Deputy Race Director where she executes Rui Marques' decisions during races.
- She operates the safety car, speaks to Bernd Maylander, and coordinates incident clearance and the chequered flag.
Motorsport Family Roots
- Claire explains she grew up in a motorsport family with a father who wrote about cars and worked in PR.
- She started watching F1 as a child and began working in grassroots series like Formula Renault in 2007.
Dutch Revival With Zandvoort Return
- Claire recalls living near Zandvoort and celebrating the Dutch Grand Prix's return alongside colleagues she grew up with.
- She describes the revival of motorsport in the Netherlands driven by Max Verstappen's success.