Written by Alejandra Guajardo Lozano, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
Women have played an influential role throughout the history of motor racing. Many have taken to the wheels of motorsport machines, while numerous figures have worked tirelessly on the sidelines in various roles, shaping the motor racing world to the present day. Woman Spotlight Wednesday aims to take a look at the tales of these superwomen, who have surpassed various hurdles to reach where they are today.
Today’s article dives into the tales of a vibrant personality, someone you see every Formula One race weekend, should you tune into the F1 TV stream on race weekends.
Laura Winter is one of the lead presenters for F1 TV. She lights up the screens of millions of people worldwide with her outstanding charisma, and ease with words hosting the preview and post-event shows, alongside Lawrence Baretto and Will Buxton every race weekend.
Winter was born on March 31st, 1989, in Great Britain. She was a swimming enthusiast during her childhood days, even participating competitively until the age of 19. While in University, her interests switched to rowing, sparking her interest in sports media. She has been covering the Henley Royal Regatta event since 2017, for BT Sport.
Laura is a cycling enthusiast, and even practices the sport herself keenly. She covered the final week of the 2021 Tour de France for Eurosport, and also hosted the Bora Hansgrohe professional team on the health podcast, “Eat Sleep Race Repeat.”
Laura stepped into Motorsport for the first time in 2019, covering four rounds of the World Rallycross Championship for the IMG broadcast team. She stepped in the Formula One paddock as a presenter for the first time that year, covering the Belgian Grand Prix. She is also the host of her own podcast ‘Lessons Learned’, on which she interviews sportsmen and women about the lessons life has taught them, both as athletes and as people.
Laura was an on-site presenter for the second season of the Extreme E championship, sharing gender equality and key environmental messages. She also presented the highlights show for ITV for the Goodwood Festival of Speed (FoS), an annual motorsports festival featuring modern and historic motor racing vehicles, and for the Goodwood Revival, an immersive celebration of iconic cars and fashion.
In 2020, she bravely spoke up about her experience with domestic abuse. In 2019, on International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to women’s achievements and voices, she was assaulted by her then boyfriend, ending up in the hospital. She decided to share her story to bring awareness on the impact of domestic abuse, on people from all demographics and age groups.
“Domestic abuse does not discriminate, it can happen to anyone,” says Winter. “I am lucky. I have a job I love, I had the financial means to leave, I had family and friends. There are thousands of women who have no way out, who are coerced, who aren’t believed. I’m fortunate, many women aren’t.”
Laura has been closely aiding a Women’s Aid campaign, to save its live chat service.
“For young people a chat service is crucial, it’s far more attuned to their lives and how they communicate,” she says. “The reality is that the live chat saves lives. Given that we are seeing younger victims of domestic abuse, it’s a really valuable tool.”
Laura possesses extensive knowledge in sports media, covering many sporting events such as rugby, rowing, cycling, netball, tennis, and swimming. She is widely known worldwide, and in the Formula One paddock for her outstanding broadcasting and journalism skills that have captivated the F1 spectators. She is a talented, strong, and knowledgeable woman who isn’t just a huge inspiration for younger generations dreaming of a career in sports journalism, but a voice for women who have struggled with domestic abuse. She is truly a super woman.