Racing driver aims for F1 Academy after spine injury

Stephanie Hobeika enjoyed karting while growing up in Lebanon and Dubai

A university student is aiming to continue making progress in motorsport after returning to action just months after fracturing her spine.

University of Bath student Stephanie Hobeika enjoyed a podium finish in her car-racing debut at Brands Hatch in April after making the step up from karting.

The 22-year-old, who suffered the serious injury during a karting race in January, now has her sights set on competing in the global F1 Academy Championship, which aims to get more women into the top level of motorsport, next year.

"I think in a few years time I can see girls going much further in the sport," added Ms Hobeika.

Ms Hobeika, who has been racing competitively since the age of 15, started karting as a child in Lebanon and Dubai.

"I think motorsport for women has come so far," she said. "When I started I was the only girl.

"A friend's dad knew I loved motorsport and that I also did painting as a hobby, so I did a painting for him in exchange for his old kart. I haven't stopped since.

"Before coming to the UK I had never driven in the wet before but now I've got used to it," she added.

Ms Hobeika secured third place in her car-racing debut at Brands Hatch in April

In January, she took part in the karting O-Plate race in Dubai where a kart behind her crashed and landed on top of her, fracturing her spine.

"I couldn't do a lot, I had to rest and go to the gym. It was really boring," she said.

"I went from going to the gym in the week, driving the track on Thursday and racing the rest of the week, to nothing.

"I was so bored and missed it so much I just wanted to back to racing so badly."

When she had fully recovered Ms Hobeika moved from karting to car racing and secured third place in the Class C category of the 750 Motor Club Radical Club Challenge at Brands Hatch.

"I've been karting competitively for a few years now, including representing Bath in the British Universities Karting Championship, but I felt it was time to take the next step," said Ms Hobeika.

"The big goal for next year would be to race in F1 Academy, which is the all-female championship and raced on the same weekend as F1," she added.

'Perfect fit'

Ms Hobeika is also programme manager for Team Bath Racing Electric, the Formula Student racing team based out of the university's faculty of engineering and design.

"It was Formula Student that brought me to Bath. I loved Bath and the university, so getting to work in motorsport with Formula Student too was the perfect fit.

"I want to go into motorsport management at some point and it has given me a different profile as I know what it is like to be a driver and run a team," she said.