100 Years of Women in Motorsport: A Conversation with Nancy Heslin

When journalist and editor-in-chief Nancy Heslin sat down for a casual coffee in Monaco with four influential women in motorsport, she never imagined it would lead to a groundbreaking book. 

That morning in June 2023, surrounded by the likes of F1 Academy’s Susie Wolff, the Automobile Club de Monaco’s WIMC president Tiffaney Perlino, Valérie Closier whom is the director of the Prince’s Car Collection, and Martine Ackermann founder of the Monaco Ladies’ Charity Car Rally, she found herself listening to a conversation that would spark an entirely new chapter in her career.

“I was completely out of my league,” Nancy tells Females in Motorsport. “They were talking about names, technical terms, and initiatives I had never heard of. But I walked away inspired, knowing I had to contribute.” 

And she did—by doing what she does best: telling stories.

From Inspiration to Reality

Nancy’s journey to writing 100 Years of Women: Motorsport & Monaco was not a traditional one. A seasoned journalist with 25 years of experience and a prominent voice in Monaco’s media landscape, she had no prior connection to motorsport. 

“I don’t even drive!” she confesses. Yet, it was precisely this fresh perspective that allowed her to see an overlooked gap in the narrative—women’s contributions to motorsport, both behind the wheel and beyond it.

The idea for the book led to the creation of Carob Tree Publishing, Monaco’s first 100% female-owned publishing house. Nancy and her co-founder, Lacey Da Costa, envisioned a book that wasn’t about cars or the past but about fearless, determined women shaping the future. Their mission was clear: to inspire young readers, particularly girls aged 14 to 22, by showing them a world of possibilities in motorsport.

Uncovering Forgotten Histories

The research process, however, was anything but simple. 

“It was a challenge, especially for the early years,” Nancy says. “Women’s stories in motorsport are often buried, misspelled, or simply lost in translation. Even Madame Mertens, the first woman to podium at the Rallye Monte-Carlo in 1925, didn’t have a first name in the archives until we started digging.”

Through tireless research, Nancy and her team uncovered 65 inspiring profiles of women who had driven through Monaco, raced on its iconic streets, or played pivotal roles in its motorsport legacy. The book also includes never-before-published photographs, thanks to the Automobile Club de Monaco and photographer Ed Wright.

Breaking Barriers and Challenging Perceptions

One of the book’s primary goals was to dismantle outdated stigmas about women in motorsport. 

“We didn’t want to create a ‘men versus women’ narrative,” Nancy says. “It’s about skill, perseverance, and aspiration. Motorsport is a billion-pound industry with opportunities for everyone, not just drivers. Engineers, sustainability experts, strategists—there’s a place for anyone who wants to be part of it.”

Despite these progressive conversations, funding for women’s projects in motorsport remains a challenge. 

“I’ve heard it all—‘Oh, we already support a women’s project’—as if one initiative is enough,” Nancy says. “We don’t just need the first female engineer or the first female driver. We need the second, third, and fourth. We need to create demand and opportunities.”

Impact Beyond the Pages

The release of 100 Years of Women: Motorsport & Monaco has already made waves. At the book’s launch event, attended by Iron Dames, FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, Formula 1 Academy, and ABB FIA Formula E, students had the rare opportunity to engage with industry leaders. 

“One girl came up to me and said, ‘this has changed my life,’” Nancy says. “That made the year of stress worth it.”

The book is not just reaching young readers—it’s shifting the perspectives of older generations, particularly men who were unaware of the struggles women faced in motorsport. 

“We’ve had men over 50 come up to us, shocked by what they’ve read; they didn’t realise the barriers that existed,” she says. 

One of the most striking examples is Cathy Muller, who, after winning a prestigious race in 1981, was forced to race again because officials couldn’t accept that a woman had beaten the men.

Looking to the Future

With the book’s success, Carob Tree Publishing is already setting its sights on new projects. A French edition is in the works, and there’s strong interest in an Italian version. Plans for a documentary are also gaining traction. 

“We want to tell these women’s stories in a way that continues to inspire, without reducing it to just gender battles,” she says. “It’s about resilience, determination, and breaking boundaries.”

Nancy and Lacey are also committed to ensuring that 100 Years of Women isn’t a standalone project. Future student-focused events around Formula E and the Monaco Grand Prix are in discussion. 

“We’ve built a network of incredible women in motorsport who had never connected before,” Nancy says. “Now, we’re bringing them together to create real opportunities.”

A Legacy of Empowerment

At its core, 100 Years of Women: Motorsport & Monaco is not just a book about motorsport. It’s a celebration of human potential. 

“This isn’t about women in motorsport,” Nancy concludes. “It’s about people who defied the odds, took risks, and followed their passion. That’s something anyone can relate to.”

This incredible project is not just documenting history—it’s actively shaping the future, ensuring that young women everywhere can look at motorsport and think, I can do anything.

The book can be purchased at Carob Tree Publishing, and a portion of sales will support next-gen females in motorsport.