While looking through motorsports regulations in search of new advancements and progress, I was stumped by the FIA’s outdated and improper language displaying quite the opposite. The regulations of various racing series governed by the FIA repeatedly used sexist and gender-exclusive language; the officials and competitors, which a significant portion of them are not males, were carelessly bunched under the he/him pronouns.

The FIA has enough funds to create programs specifically for females, enough time to celebrate each and every milestone of women in motorsports, and enough desire to encourage more to join, but not enough to acknowledge them at the most fundamental level. Is gender equality an issue only worthy of an article headline or a website cover?

The use of gendered language marginalizes the efforts made and constantly being made to overcome this barrier of inequality. It not only alienates women in these fields, but also effectively bar them from entering. It draws a clear line between where women do and do not belong – creating the sense that motorsports is the “not”. 

Many may be familiar enough with gendered language to automatically interpret “man” as “human” and “he” as “he or she” due to reinforced and prevalent sexism. Some might even argue that there are no problems in continuing this practice as “it has always been this way”. 

But as language is constantly evolving, it must be adapted to reflect the changes and progress of our society; motorsports regulations are no exception to this. Simple measures such as using gender-neutral terms will have a tremendous effect on addressing this long-standing issue. 

Using gender-neutral language, creating an inclusive environment, and promoting gender equality shouldn’t be a question of why, but why not. 

Thank you for your support!

Check out these related links:

• FIA Regulations
• Information And Guideline On Gender-Neutral Language From
  • European Parliament
  • United Nations
  • UK Government