More than Equal announced on Thursday an exciting new partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University to pioneer female racing athlete research.
Through Manchester Met’s Institute of Sport, the new partnership set with More than Equal is unique, seeking to understand female racing drivers’ physiological and endocrinological demands.
More than Equal has become a pioneer in the female racing scene, setting its goal of unearthing and developing the first female Formula 1 world champion.
This process is being developed end to end, from karting through to single-seaters, with six drivers already selected for More than Equal’s initial Driver Development Programme.
It’s a common misconception that female athletes don’t have the physical tools to succeed in a racing environment.
A data-driven approach, spearheaded by Manchester Metropolitan’s Centre for Excellence for Women in Sport, will look to disprove that notion.
Performance, strength, power, cognition, endurance, nutrition and psychology will be key targets of the research with hunters of drivers set to be part of the project as it develops.
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“This partnership will not only support More than Equal’s mission to develop the first female F1 world champion, but will progress the knowledge and research in female health and performance for girls and women across all sports,” said Kirsty Elliott-Sale, Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport.
“Through our understanding of female-specific physiology, we can help these talented young drivers navigate the milestones ahead of them while better preparing them for a career at the pinnacle of elite sport.”
More than Equal partnership will dispel ‘myths’ surrounding female drivers
Ali Donnelly, CEO at More than Equal added, “One of the myths we often hear is that women and girls are not physically or psychologically capable of competing at the highest levels of motorsport.
“We are delighted to partner with an esteemed research university to dispel these myths with scientific evidence.
“By understanding and optimising female physiology, we can tailor our development approach to meet the unique needs of our young drivers.
“This partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University will provide us with the insights and tools necessary to ensure our cohort is fully prepared to compete at the top of the sport.”
Complimenting the research are two PhD studentships at Manchester Met.
These will help pioneer discoveries in untapped fields of female driver research.
One is female driver health and performance and the other focuses on psychological, cognitive and physiological development of female drivers throughout their careers.
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