Monisha Kaltenborn's Legacy in Motorsports: Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day 2025

Today, June 23, we honor International Women in Engineering Day, a celebration of women's remarkable contributions to engineering, innovation, and leadership. In the high-octane world of motorsports, one trailblazing woman has left an indelible mark: Monisha Kaltenborn, the first female team principal in Formula One.

Monisha's story is one of breaking barriers, leading with vision, and inspiring women around the globe to pursue careers in engineering and motorsport. Let's look closer at her extraordinary journey and impact on one of the world's most competitive industries.

From Law to the Fast Lane

Born in Dehradun, India, in 1971, Monisha Kaltenborn (née Narang) grew up in Vienna, Austria. She had a strong academic background and pursued a law degree at the University of Vienna. She earned her Master of Laws from the prestigious London School of Economics.

Kaltenborn's entry into motorsports was anything but conventional. Her legal expertise brought her to the Sauber Formula One Team in 2000, where she began as head of the legal department. Her talent, dedication, and leadership quickly became apparent. In 2001, she was appointed to Sauber's management board, marking the start of her rise to prominence in Formula One.

Breaking Barriers in Formula One

In 2012, Monisha Kaltenborn made history by becoming the first female team principal in Formula One, leading the Sauber F1 Team. This role placed her at the pinnacle of one of the most male-dominated industries, where only a handful of women held positions of influence.

As team principal, Kaltenborn oversaw every aspect of the team's operations, from engineering and design to race-day strategy. Her appointment was a personal achievement and a powerful symbol of progress for women in motorsports and engineering.

Championing Diversity and Inclusion

Kaltenborn has been a vocal advocate for diversity in motorsports, emphasizing the need for equal opportunities for women and underrepresented groups. She has highlighted the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that allows innovation and excellence to thrive.

Image source - https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/life-aging/sauber-edge-ahead-in-exciting-f1-season/30383146

Her leadership has inspired women to pursue careers in engineering and motorsport, proving that barriers can be overcome with determination, skill, and vision.

Why Monisha Kaltenborn's Legacy Matters

Monisha Kaltenborn's journey is a testament to what women can achieve in engineering and leadership, even in industries where representation has historically been limited. Her work has opened doors for future generations of female engineers, designers, and leaders to:

Pursue Careers in Motorsport: Monisha's success proves that there is a place for women at the highest levels of motorsports.

Break Stereotypes: She has shattered long-standing stereotypes about who belongs in engineering and motorsports.

Inspire Innovation: Her leadership style has demonstrated how diversity drives innovation and excellence.

Empowering the Next Generation Through STEM

Monisha Kaltenborn's story aligns with the mission of the H2GP Foundation, which empowers students to pursue STEM careers by offering hands-on opportunities to design, build, and innovate. Programs like H2GP PRO inspire young women to follow in the footsteps of pioneers like Kaltenborn, showing that engineering is not just a career but a platform for making a meaningful impact.

Through projects such as hydrogen-powered car design, students learn the same principles of teamwork, innovation, and problem-solving that Monisha exemplified throughout her career.

Celebrating Progress and Looking Ahead

On this International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate Monisha Kaltenborn's groundbreaking achievements and the many women in engineering who are shaping the future. Her story reminds us of our progress and the work still needed to achieve true equality in engineering and motorsports.

Let's continue to break barriers, inspire innovation, and empower the next generation of women to lead, innovate, and race toward a brighter future.

Learn more about how the H2GP Foundation empowers the next generation of STEM leaders at H2GP Foundation.

Here's to the women driving change in engineering and motorsport—on and off the track.