You probably wouldn't expect to find two teenage girls hanging out at some of the UAE's best racetracks, but when the Al Qubaisi sisters aren't attending Sheikh Zayed Private Academy in Abu Dhabi, that's exactly where they are.
Emirati sisters Hamda and Amna Al Qubaisi are 14 and 16 years old, but they're definitely not your typical teens-- they're professional race car drivers. Last year, Amna, who is 16, became the first female Emirati driver to represent the UAE at an international event, when she raced at Portugal's Rotax Max Challenege. Next week, Hamda will head to Sweden to compete in the Karting Academy Trophy Race. Both events are considered major in the world of motorsport.
The girls come from a racing family: their father, Khaled Al Qubaisi, is a professional driver who was part of the only Emirati team to reach the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. He began training Amna when she was just three-years-old. My dad slowly took me in rental karts and started to train me," she told The National. "He told me that: 'If you really want to make it, I will support you.'"
Hamda followed in her sisters footsteps, and began racing at the age of 12.
The girls have already secured sponsorships from Daman, Abu Dhabi Racing and Sanad Aero Solutions. They've also partnered with phone company Huawei on a number of occasions. As they continue to race, their ultimate goal is simple: "We are spreading the word that women can do everything," Amna says. "We can do anything, even if it's a men's sport. We can show them that we are capable of doing what men can do."
It's only a matter of time before we see these two at Formula One, but for now, click through to get a look at their life in the fast lane!
