Gianna Pascoal from Bedfordview has been selected as one of only five new drivers worldwide for the prestigious More Than Equal Driver Development Programme, placing her among an elite group shaping the future of women in motorsport.
In a rather unassuming introduction for someone already competing in Formula 4 and being tracked as part of an elite global development pathway in motorsport, Gianna Pascoal is quick to tell you that she is more than the helmet she wears on race day.
At 16, the Bedfordview-based driver is emerging as one of South Africa’s most promising young motorsport talents, but away from the track she describes herself in very simple terms: a teenager who loves dogs, gardening, friends, and the normal chaos of growing up. ‘Gianna is a fun, bubbly person with a very big personality.
I love spending time with my dogs, my friends, even if it’s just calling them or playing Roblox. I just like being a teenage girl and having fun,’ she says with a smile. Those closest to her see the same personality. ‘My family and friends would describe me as outgoing. I don’t really care what people say. I just keep going. But I also love helping people.’
From springboard diving to the need for speed
Gianna’s journey into racing did not begin in a karting school or motorsport academy. In fact, she was already a two-time South African champion in springboard diving before she ever sat in a racing kart. ‘I wasn’t really into motorsport at first,’ she recalls.
‘My cousins took my dad to a karting track and he loved it. He wanted me to try it. I was 11 and I just thought, okay, I’ll try it. I wanted to spend time with my dad.’
That decision changed everything. ‘At first, it was just fun. But then I started feeling the need for speed and the passion just grew,’ she says. There was a defining moment when racing stopped being a hobby.
‘I got invited to race in Bahrain and we got F1 tickets. Someone even gave us their VIP pass. I remember thinking, this is where I want to be one day.’
Fearless from the beginning
Gianna describes her younger self as fearless, a trait her mother still often talks about. ‘I was definitely a fearless child. I wasn’t scared to try anything. I would always try what other people were too afraid to do,’ she says.
That mindset has carried into motorsport, where she is now competing in a world that remains heavily male-dominated. ‘It’s been tough,’ she admits. ‘But I’m grateful that I’m just treated like a driver. I don’t want to be known as a female driver. I want to be known as a driver.’
Still, she is aware of what it means to be in her position. ‘Every now and again it does slip up because no boy wants to be beaten by a girl,’ she says candidly.
Sacrifice behind the speed
Behind the growing success lies a significant personal cost. ‘There have been a lot of sacrifices. Time, money, and even time with family,’ Gianna shares.
Her mother often travels with her, while her father remains at home. ‘That’s probably the hardest part. We sacrifice time together.’ There have also been moments of doubt. ‘Last year, there were one or two points where I thought about stopping. But I told myself you can’t give up on a dream just because of a few lows. There are so many highs still coming.’
Her motivation is rooted in both family and purpose. ‘My mom and dad always remind me it’s not just about winning. It’s about learning something every race and improving. And I also want to inspire little girls who want to race,’ she says.
The leap into Formula 4
The transition from karting to Formula 4 has been a major step. ‘It’s extremely different. Now there’s a clutch, gears, and you’re strapped into the car.
The biggest thing is learning weight transfer. The car moves so differently,’ she explains. She smiles when describing the challenge. ‘In a kart everything was stable. Now the car moves and you have to let it dance underneath you.’
The racing itself is also more intense. ‘It’s very close racing and mentally straining. Every move has to be perfect. You can’t afford mistakes because someone will immediately take advantage.’ Her focus now is on improving highspeed cornering and adapting to the car’s behaviour.
Selected for a global elite programme
Gianna’s progression has been recognised internationally. She is one of only five new drivers worldwide selected for the More Than Equal Driver Development Programme, a global initiative co-founded by former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard and businessman Karel Komárek.
The programme aims to identify and develop the first female Formula 1 World Champion. When she received the news, her reaction was immediate. ‘It was disbelief at first. Then excitement. It felt like all my hard work was finally showing,’ she says.
The selection process was intense, involving interviews, assessments, and a training camp in Manchester. ‘It was very competitive. There were physical and mental evaluations, and then they made their final selections.’
Being one of the few chosen carries weight. ‘It means everything. It feels amazing to represent South Africa on that stage.’
A shift in motorsport
Globally, female participation in motorsport remains low, with women making up only a small fraction of competitors in the sport. But change is underway, with structured programmes and increased visibility slowly reshaping the landscape. Gianna is part of that shift.
‘It shows that women can do it. It doesn’t matter what gender you are. I am also conscious about representing South Africa. It means a lot to show that South Africa has talent. We are not just sitting on the sidelines. We can compete.’
Life outside racing
Despite the demands of motorsport, Gianna is clear that she still needs space to be a teenager. ‘My life can’t just be racing. I still need to have fun sometimes.’
She attends Minerva Virtual Academy, which allows her flexibility to balance schoolwork with training. A typical week is tightly structured: gym sessions, simulator work, track time, and schoolwork, with Sundays reserved for rest and family.
Outside of racing, her interests surprise many. ‘I love gardening. People are shocked when I say that. They don’t expect it,’ she says laughing. She also enjoys music, with ACDC’s Thunderstruck among her favourites, and admits her comfort food is simple chicken and rice, even if McDonald’s remains a guilty pleasure.
The road ahead
Gianna’s long-term goal is clear. ‘Formula 1 is the dream but step by step. First F1 Academy, then Formula 4 overseas, then Formula 3 and Formula 2.’
If that path succeeds, she could become South Africa’s first female Formula 1 driver. ‘It would mean everything. It would show that people shouldn’t underestimate South Africans.’
But beyond titles and achievements, she hopes her story carries a simpler message.
‘I hope people remember that hard work and determination really do pay off. Even if you start later or come from somewhere small, you can still make it,’ she says. For Gianna, the journey is only just beginning.
Photos: PR WORX. Text: AZUSAKE LIMBA
