At QUADRANT, we're passionate about championing trailblazers who redefine the game. In 2024, we had the privilege of following one of our youngest athletes, Lotte Van Drunen, through an incredible season. Fresh off her historic win as the youngest WMX World Champion, we caught up with Lotte to talk about her journey in motocross.
We also caught up with Ruth Buscombe, an F1 strategist and pundit, to discuss their experiences and the growing presence of women in motorsport.
Lotte, a 17-year-old motocross rider from the Netherlands, has been racing against boys since childhood. "It’s tough, but exciting," she says, reflecting on her journey in a male-dominated sport. She set her sights on motocross at just 7 years old and never looked back, achieving her dream when she won the WMX World Championship in 2024. "Motocross isn’t just a hobby – it’s my personality," Lotte shares.
The rise of women in motorsport is one of the most exciting movements in sports today. From the pages of Vogue to the FIA’s F1 Academy, women are increasingly stepping into the spotlight of what has long been a male-dominated arena. And while the push for more female representation continues, there’s no denying the impact women are having across all levels of motorsport.
Ruth Buscombe, broke barriers behind the scenes. With a background in Aerospace Engineering, she rose to become head of strategy for an F1 team and now works as an F1 strategist and presenter. "I went from wanting to be a princess to working in F1 by age 8," she laughs.
Both women have faced challenges, from Lotte competing against physically stronger men to Ruth navigating a male-dominated industry. But their advice for young women is clear: be resilient and never give up. As Ruth notes, the rise of women in motorsport is not only inspiring but is also changing the sport for the better. "We’re seeing nearly 40% female viewership now," she points out, highlighting how female representation is driving the sport’s success. For young women looking to follow in their footsteps, Lotte’s advice is simple: "Do it your way, be different, and never give up. Even after bad days, the sun comes up the next morning."
Lotte Van Drunen and Ruth Buscombe are just two examples of the incredible women shaping the future of motorsport. At QUADRANT, we’re proud to support their journeys and look forward to seeing how they continue to break boundaries.
