Formula Equal: An ambitious vision for ‘50% male, 50% female’ F1 team

For the past four years, Craig Pollock, the founder and former CEO of British American Racing (BAR), has been secretly working on an ambitious new project.

His new venture, Formula Equal, is set to become the first team in the sport to have a 50% male and 50% female split across the entire organization, from the drivers to the engineers and the boardroom.

Why Formula Equal is Unique

Pollock's vision for Formula Equal is not just about promoting gender diversity in the sport but also creating equal representation throughout the team.

In an interview with CNN, he explains, "Our ambition is to build opportunities and pathways for women to get to the very top level inside motorsports."

Pollock acknowledges that launching a team like Formula Equal is an ambitious plan, especially given the current lack of female representation in the sport.

However, he believes that Formula Equal can make a significant difference, saying, "We know that we are going to have to build it up because there are not enough women at the moment who are trained up to the level of Formula 1, and they’ve got to earn a place in there at the same time."

The Importance of Gender Equality in Motorsports

The FIA has been working to change the gender imbalance in the sport since launching its Women in Motorsport commission in 2009.

Its ambassadors include Susie Wolff, who in 2014 became the first woman in 22 years to take part in a Grand Prix weekend, and Tatiana Calderon, who has served as a test driver for the Sauber F1 team, now Alfa Romeo.

According to a 2016 survey conducted by the FIA, women accounted for only 6.5% of drivers in European motorsport, 16% of institutional employees, and 19% of volunteers.

The FIA's Girls on Track program provides a competition model to develop and promote young women at a grassroots level in motorsports.

The Challenges of Building a New Team

Pollock's experience as the founder and CEO of BAR puts him in a strong position to lead the launch of Formula Equal.

Launching a new team in Formula One requires a significant amount of investment. Commenting on the cost of launching a new team, Pollock cites Toto Wolff, the CEO of Mercedes, who estimated that it would cost around $1 billion to join F1.

Despite the financial challenges, Pollock is in talks with a Gulf area country that has shown interest in supporting his venture.

While he declined to provide more details, he says Formula Equal is focused on delivering opportunities for women in motorsport and promoting gender equality, adding:

"This is not a question of me going to them [the Gulf state]. In reality, it’s them having come to us because we have a turnkey operation with the business plan, with all the costings, with everything ready to go."

The Future of Formula Equal

If Formula Equal's application is successful, the team could debut in 2026.

The launch of this team would be a significant development in the industry, which has long been criticized for its lack of diversity.

Pollock's decision to speak publicly about his plans comes after his name was listed in connection with an application at a commission meeting.

He jokes that Formula One is like a sieve, and you have to be careful who you talk to.

"You’ve got to be very careful who you talk to ... I had to basically admit: yes, it’s correct. We have made an application, and that was it."