interview by JANA LETONJA

Professional race car driver Samantha Tan is a championship winner and recently became the first Asian woman to win a major international endurance racing championship. Her work on the track transcends into her passion for breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport, redefining stereotypes, and paving the way for those who are denied opportunity based on their gender or ethnicity. She is also an Ambassador for the AAPI Victory Alliance and aspires to be the first Asian woman to win the prestigious 24H LeMans. 

You’ve made history as the first Asian woman to win a major international endurance racing championship. How does that achievement feel, and what was going through your mind when you crossed that finish line?

There have been so many “pinch me” moments in my career, but this was one of the most profound. Crossing that finish line, I was almost in disbelief. The weight of it didn’t hit me right away, but then the tears came. Tears of joy, relief, and years of hard work finally coming full circle. All I could think about was everything it took to get there, the early mornings, the sacrifices, the moments where self-doubt felt louder than belief. No one else sees the hours you dedicate to training alone, watching data, studying races, pushing through the setbacks. That season, I had people tell me outright that my aspirations were unrealistic, that aiming to win the championship was too ambitious. And yet, we won every single championship we were eligible for.

To be the first Asian woman to win a major international endurance championship, it felt bigger than me. It felt like a moment for my community, for every young girl who’s ever been told she didn’t belong in this space. It’s an incredible honor to be the first, but what matters most to me is making sure I’m not the last. I’ve always strived to become the role model I never had, and in that moment, I finally felt like I was stepping into the woman I always believed I could be. That win wasn’t just a personal victory, it was proof that my voice, my dreams, and my presence in this sport matter. It was a celebration of everything I’ve overcome, and a reminder that representation isn't just powerful, it’s necessary. And I knew it was just the beginning of what was possible.

Racing is often seen as a male-dominated sport. What challenges have you faced as a woman in this space, and how have you overcome them?

Racing is undeniably a male-dominated sport, and for a long time I struggled with not having a role model who looked like me. That absence meant I didn’t have someone I could point to and say “She did it, so I can too.” Someone who could serve as a counterexample to all the assumptions people made about women in motorsport, especially women of color. I can’t deny that the pressure to validate my presence in this space has undoubtedly been heavier. Any mistake I made on the track often led to critics attributing the error to my gender. And because of that, when I did make mistakes early in my career, as every racer eventually does, I’d sometimes wonder if my gender had anything to do with it. I internalized that negativity more than I care to admit.

To be a woman in this sport is to be underestimated, consistently. There were moments where it felt like no matter what I did, I couldn’t escape the narrative that was placed on me. I’ve heard all the comments, some subtle, some not, that women don’t belong in the sport because “statistically they don’t win as much,” or that we “always crash.” I know I’m not alone in that experience. Motorsport is one of the only sports that isn’t gender-segregated, and yet, women make up only around 10% of participants across all categories, with just 7% in formula and GT racing. That underrepresentation makes it even harder, because any mistake feels like it reinforces every stereotype that already exists.

But over time, I learned to focus on the things I could control. To transform every hate comment, every insult, into motivation to train harder, perform better, and ultimately win races just so I could prove them all wrong. My biggest strength has been my team and my support system, people who see me for my talent and drive. At the end of the day, I know the car doesn’t care who is in the driver’s seat. All that matters is what you can do on the track and whether you can win. That’s what makes a name for you in this sport. I’ve always believed that talent, hard work, and determination speak louder than any stereotype. And I think my story, my wins and my resilience, prove that in this sport, respect is earned, not given.

As the team owner of Samantha Tan Racing, how do you balance being both a driver and a leader? What has been the most rewarding part of running your own racing team?

It’s definitely a balancing act, but one that’s been incredibly fulfilling. Early in my career, I learned the hard way that trying to do everything alone just wasn’t sustainable. I was pursuing a full-time college degree while also competing in a full-time racing schedule, and there were moments where it felt like I was burning the candle at both ends. I’d be in class during the week, flying out for races on weekends, and studying on planes or in the paddock between sessions. It taught me the importance of time management, but more importantly, it taught me how to ask for help and trust the people around me.

That lesson has carried through into how I run Samantha Tan Racing. I’ve been intentional about building a team I can lean on, experts who can take care of logistics, operations, and engineering so I can focus on what I need to do as a driver: prepare, study data and video, be mentally sharp, and perform on track. But I’m still very involved behind the scenes. I oversee our marketing and branding, help plan events, and stay active in managing finances and building client relationships.

As a driver, my job is precision and performance. As a team owner, my role is vision and leadership, making sure the team is aligned, the culture is strong, and that we’re creating something meaningful that lasts beyond just one race season. The most rewarding part has been watching our team grow into something that reflects our values - diverse, ambitious, and passionate - and knowing that we’re opening doors for others in motorsport, not just ourselves.

You’ve spoken about breaking barriers in motorsports. How do you see your role in inspiring other young women and minorities to pursue careers in fields traditionally dominated by men?

I truly believe visibility is one of the most powerful tools for change, especially in spaces where people like us haven’t historically seen ourselves represented. I know how impactful it can be to relate to a strong character or role model. The few times I’ve seen someone I could identify with, whether in media or in real life, it gave me the confidence to dream bigger and reminded me that I wasn’t alone. That’s why I lead by example. I want young women and minorities to see that it’s possible to show up unapologetically as yourself and still succeed. Whether it’s on the grid or contributing to conversations that matter, I try to use my platform to make motorsport more accessible and inclusive.

I’ve had countless conversations with girls and women through social media, offering guidance on how to break into the sport, answering their questions one-on-one, and simply being a voice of encouragement when they needed it. I’ve also hosted women-only track days, and it’s incredible how the energy shifts when women feel supported instead of judged. They learn faster, feel safer, and start to believe in themselves in a deeper way. As a team owner, I’ve been intentional about building a diverse and inclusive team, not just in the driver’s seat, but across every level: crew members, management, logistics, marketing. I want to show that women belong everywhere in this industry, not just in the spotlight, but behind the scenes shaping the future of the sport.

At the end of the day, I want people to know they don’t need to fit into a mold to succeed. They just need the courage to live their dream, and to keep going, even when the world tells them not to.

Your aspiration to be the first Asian woman to win the 24H LeMans is incredibly ambitious. What steps are you taking to prepare for this iconic race, and how does it compare to other endurance races you’ve participated in?

Le Mans is the ultimate test for the car, the team, and the driver. It’s a race that demands not just speed, but relentless precision, focus, and resilience over 24 grueling hours. I’m approaching it with a long-term mindset, continuing to sharpen my skills in multi-class racing, building both physical and mental stamina, and collaborating closely with engineers to understand every technical nuance of the car.

Honestly, every step in my career has been intentional in preparing for this goal. I started in touring cars to build a strong foundation and racecraft, then transitioned to GT4s to learn about endurance racing and driver changes. That led me to GT3, where success depends on both driving performance and high-level strategy. These weren’t just category jumps, they were calculated decisions to push myself toward Le Mans. A huge part of my growth has also come from working with BMW factory drivers like John Edwards and Neil Verhagen. I’m incredibly grateful to BMW for those opportunities. Factory drivers are professional drivers contracted by a vehicle manufacturer to race their cars. They bring a wealth of knowledge, not just about driving technique, but about race preparation, mindset, and how to maximize performance in the most demanding conditions. Being able to learn from them has been instrumental in my development.

This year, I’m competing in the IMSA VP Racing Challenge, a single-driver, multi-class racing series. Unlike team-based endurance races, this format puts all the responsibility on me. I have to manage pace, consistency, and traffic across different classes entirely on my own. It’s helped me build a new kind of race intelligence, the ability to anticipate, adapt, and react in real-time without relying on a teammate to balance things out. That’s the kind of experience I need to be ready for Le Mans. I still have a long way to go, and I say that with humility. But I also know I’m not chasing this dream alone. Becoming the first Asian woman to win the 24H Le Mans isn’t just a personal goal, it’s a statement. It represents the idea that the future of motorsport is more inclusive, more diverse, and more ambitious than ever before. That’s what keeps me going.

You’ve mentioned that makeup is an empowering creative outlet for you, even while racing. Can you share more about how makeup helps you prepare mentally for a race?

Makeup has always been a creative outlet for me. I love taking the time to enjoy the process, building up layers, playing with shadows, expressing mood and intention. I have so much fun playing around with eyeshadow or eyeliner colors on race day. I see makeup as much a part of my gear as my racing suit. It’s my war paint. It empowers me before I even step on the track and helps set the tone before a race. I’m a big believer in the idea that if you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you do good. Confidence is everything.

That said, I don’t need makeup to feel confident. No one does. But for me, it’s a way to feel grounded, powerful, and like the most authentic version of myself. Femininity has often been shunned in the racing world, as if softness and strength can’t coexist. They are not mutually exclusive. I’ve always strived to prove that success has nothing to do with whether or not you’re wearing a full face of makeup. In a sport where we’re constantly judged by numbers and performance, makeup is my way of reclaiming a bit of softness and artistry, while still being fierce as hell.

How do you see beauty and fashion intersecting with the world of motorsports, and do you think they should be more integrated into the conversation around racing culture?

I absolutely do. For so long, motorsport has been viewed through a narrow lens, hyper-masculine, with no room for glam or self-expression. Fashion and beauty were always considered distractions. But that’s changing, especially in Formula 1, where fashion has become a defining part of the culture. You’ll see celebrities filling the paddock in head-to-toe designer, and parties happening trackside every weekend.

The Louis Vuitton partnership with F1 is a perfect example of how fashion and motorsport are finally colliding in a meaningful way. I think Lewis Hamilton has been a huge part of that shift. He’s shown up in bold outfits for years, even when people criticized him for it. Now, he’s helped redefine what a racing icon can look like.

What excites me most is how this shift is creating more space for female-driven brands and fans to engage authentically with the sport. Motorsports is no longer just about what happens on track, it’s about the culture you build around it. And when athletes lean into their passions, whether that’s fashion, beauty, lifestyle, or storytelling, it opens up entirely new avenues of connection and revenue. If you’re genuinely passionate about fashion, that creates a built-in, authentic story for brands to align with. You’re not just another driver wearing a logo, you’re a collaborator, a muse, someone who reflects their values. That kind of organic alignment is powerful. It invites brands who may have never considered motorsport as a space for their products to suddenly see its potential, and that’s especially exciting for women-centric or lifestyle brands that are just starting to explore this space.

I think integrating beauty and fashion into racing doesn’t diminish the sport, it expands it. It shows that there’s more than one way to show up as a driver, and that individuality belongs here too.

How do you think diversity and representation in racing can impact other industries and communities?

Motorsport has such a global reach, so when people see diverse faces succeeding in this space, it sends a ripple effect. It challenges long-held ideas about who belongs in high-performance environments. It redefines what leadership, excellence, and talent can look like, not just in motorsport, but in any industry where tradition has excluded difference.

We’re seeing a cultural shift across all women’s sports. I’ve personally felt incredibly inspired by athletes like Caitlin Clark, Ilona Maher, and Chloe Kim, the dominance of NCAA and WNBA women’s basketball teams, and the continued momentum of the US Women’s Soccer Team. These women are showing up unapologetically, breaking viewership records, and proving that women’s sports are not only powerful, they’re marketable. They're creating a movement that extends far beyond the court or field.

That energy is contagious. It’s pouring into industries like motorsport and changing how we think about audience, identity, and impact. Representation isn’t just about visibility, it’s about rewriting the narrative and opening doors for future generations. When women see me, or any woman, succeed in a sport that’s historically male-dominated, it reminds them that they can succeed in their own fields too, even if they’ve been told they don’t belong there. It’s about building a collective confidence that transcends just one arena. When that change begins in a sport as exclusive and high-profile as racing, it creates a cultural precedent. It sends a message: If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere. That’s the real impact, and that kind of shift has the power to inspire entire communities, industries, and generations to dream bigger.

dress ALBERTA FERRETTI
jewelry ALEXIS BITTAR

How do you envision the future of women in motorsports? Do you think we will see more female drivers at the top levels in the coming years?

I absolutely do. We’re already seeing the shift. More young girls entering karting, more women stepping into leadership, engineering, and media roles, and more programs specifically designed to uplift and support female talent in motorsport. But it’s not just about increasing numbers, it’s about creating environments where women can truly thrive. That means equitable support, better representation, and a cultural shift that embraces individuality rather than asking us to conform.

I envision more women stepping into every role motorsport has to offer - drivers, engineers, strategists, marketing leads, team owners - and not only finding success, but also reshaping the culture of racing to be more innovative, inclusive, and collaborative. When you introduce diversity into any space, it encourages new ideas, new ways of thinking, and fresh approaches to problem-solving. Motorsport is no different.

When it comes to seeing more female drivers at the top levels, I think it’s already happening. Jamie Chadwick continues to break barriers and pave the way in the US open-wheel scene, and programs like the Iron Dames are proving that women can compete and win at the highest levels of endurance racing. These aren’t outliers anymore, they’re examples of what’s possible when you combine talent with opportunity. We also have initiatives like F1 Academy that are giving young female drivers the tools, visibility, and structure to climb the ladder toward Formula 1. And I genuinely believe it’s only a matter of time before we see another woman in F1. The path is being laid, it just needs continued investment and belief.

I hope the future of motorsport isn’t just inclusive, it’s empowering. Talent knows no gender, and the paddock is stronger when it reflects the world we live in.

What’s next for you? Apart from your racing goals, are there other passions or projects you’d like to explore in the future?

There’s always a new goal on the horizon. Right now, it’s IMSA and continuing my journey toward Le Mans. My next race is at the end of April in Germany at the Nürburgring, and I’d love to eventually compete in the WeatherTech Championship, which is the most competitive sportscar racing series in North America.

But outside of racing, I’m a creative at heart. I’ve always been drawn to expression, whether it was playing piano growing up, spending hours sketching, or diving into the world of gaming. If I wasn’t a racing driver, I think I’d be a tattoo artist. These days, I’ve shifted a lot of that creative energy into content creation, fashion, and beauty, which have become incredible outlets for me to share my personality and connect with people beyond the track. But I do secretly miss the stillness of making art just for the sake of it.

One pursuit I’m really excited to develop further is my esports team. I believe sim racing is one of the most accessible ways to introduce people to motorsport, especially those who might not have the resources or connections to get into a real car right away. There’s so much talent out there waiting to be discovered, and I’d love to help build a bridge between virtual and real-world racing.

Long-term, I’d love to have my own junior program to help mentor young talent trying to break into the sport. I’d also love to create platforms that amplify underrepresented voices in motorsport, whether that’s through mentorship, storytelling, or maybe even something like a documentary or a foundation. And who knows, maybe one day a line of car-inspired nail polish, too.

full look MAX MARA
shoes BUERLANGMA
jewelry ALEXIS BITTAR

TEAM CREDITS:

talent SAMANTHA TAN
photography DANIEL PRAKOPCYK
styling ELLIE WITT at The Only Agency
makeup ELAYNA BACHMAN at Tracey Mattingly Agency
hair CHRISTOPHER FARMER at The Wall Group
styling assistant ANISA NURMATOVA
location HOTEL PETIT ERMITAGE
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA

IN CONVERSATION WITH SAMANTHA TAN

IN CONVERSATION WITH MARION BARBEAU

IN CONVERSATION WITH ELYANNA