A Weston-based postwoman and barista is in line for a chance to be the next big female talent in motorsport.
Charlotte Ozanne has become a Formula Woman – a community of women given the chance to compete for one of six fully sponsored seats racing the McLaren 570s GT4 in the British GT Cup championship next year.
Winners will undergo full coaching and training in the months before the start of the 2022 season.
The 23-year-old first realised her passion for motorsport in 2019 when she became a member at Absolutely Karting Bristol.
She raced in members events and found herself on the podium on several occasions.
In 2020, Ozanne qualified for the British Indoor Karting Championship at Teamsport Karting Bristol and made it through to the regional finals, where she was one of the highest placed females in the whole competition.
Ozanne has since been selected for the FIA Rally Star UK Finals this month, which is a global initiative to find and support the career of a rally driver new to the sport.
"Since starting karting a couple of years ago I always thought I started too late to get anywhere and that I would only ever hobby kart now," Ozanne said.
"Yet all of a sudden, two opportunities have come at once! I’m going to embrace it, throw myself into the challenges and give it my all – I’ve got nothing to lose.”
Later in the year, Charlotte will be attending a track-based driving assessment as the first stage of the Formula Woman competition.
“I absolutely love driving and racing, I think it’s always been a part of me thanks to my dad, former twice British Karting Champion and winner of the Formula Renault scholarship in 1991, but I only realised this two years ago.
"I think these upcoming competitions are the perfect opportunity to showcase my skills on a bigger level. I believe I have the correct mindset and determination to go far in Formula Woman, especially with the extra track days and simulator training days that Formula Woman can arrange.”
Those interested in sponsoring Ozanne can email her directly at charlotte.ozanne@hotmail.com.
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