In March of 2023, Hamda AlQubaisi was getting a titanium plate and 10 screws bolted into her wrist. Just a couple of weeks ago, she secured the biggest win of her career.
No one was sure if Hamda would make an appearance at the F1 Academy’s inaugural season in October. But true to her overachieving streak, she not only appeared in all of her teams races. She surpassed all expectations by winning first place at the F1 Academy’s Round 7 event.
At just 21 years old, the Emirati racing driver has overcome more hurdles and challenges than most of her peers. Safe to say this year was nothing short of a tumultuous one, the Motorsport sponsored racer is already on the way to building a career for the books.
Her Career So Far…
While her most recent win is enough of a triumph on its own, this “ain’t her first rodeo.” Hamda has accolades and wins that stretch far past this week. She made history in the summer of 2021 as the first woman to score a podium at the Italian F4. Coming third place, at Misano’s first race of the season, she metaphorically tipped her hat to the racing industry. Signalling to their watchful eye that Hamda AlQubaisi is a name they’ll want to remember.
From Italy to the UAE, Hamda is steadily climbing up the ladders, as she secures wins and podiums under her belt. Winning three races in UAE F4 2020, to being one of four women selected to participate in Magny-Cours’ FIA Formula 3 car by 2022. Her upward trajectory is clear.
“An indescribable feeling,” she writes as a video of her whizzing through the arena to first place plays alongside it.
Her UAE Formula 4 Injury
The 2023 UAE Formula 4 was shaping up to be a strong season for the Emirati racer. With 18 podiums and 5 wins secured, she stepped into the finale with vigour. And while she was making good time, fellow racer Frederico Rifai spun out in the final round, colliding with Hamda. Unable to regain control of the high speed vehicle, she slammed into the wall and forfeited the race. The defeat was only the first of her, and her family’s, worries. With a shattered right arm radius and broken wrist, she was rushed into a four hour surgery. With six weeks to F1 Academy’s pre-season testing, the newly sponsored Hamda was told of the four month recovery ahead.
A testament to her unyielding dedication, a month and a half later, her family and motorsport team held their breaths as she entered the vehicle for the first time since the collision. At the Barcelona pre-season test, the world got a taste to Hamda’s true commitment to the sport. Seizing every opportunity by the horns, this racer has shown that even in the face of plight, she intends to stay in the face lane.
The Al Qubaisi Family Of Racers
It appears for this Emirati driver, racing professionally runs in the family.
Her father Khaled Al Qubaisi is an accomplished professional racecar who competed professionally for over a decade. “You will make it to the first round,” he promised his daughter post-surgery. A small token of hope, from the established racer turned real-estate CEO himself. With 316 races and 80 podiums, it’s fair to say Khaled’s outstanding career in the sport acted as inspiration to not only his second daughter, but her older sister as well. Amna AlQubaisi, wrote history of her own. Not only as the first Arab woman to win a F4 race, but as the first Emirati Formula 3 driver, as well. Recently dawning the campaigns of Loewe and On’s sneaker collaboration, Hamda’s big sister proves to be a force of her own.
It’s as if greatness runs in the AlQubaisi family, as each member takes it upon themselves to break records and redefine the industry. Hamda’s journey is becoming an Emirati story of strife and success. We can’t wait to see what’s next for the outstanding 20-something racer.
