Babi Rodrigues Leads the Way as Brazilian Stock Car’s First Female Team Principal

In just three years at the helm Rodrigues' has led her team to the top of the podium

Breaking barriers as the first woman to lead in a male-dominated space is no easy feat, but Babi Rodrigues has spent the last three years navigating the highest position in motorsport: team principal.

Among the 16 teams currently competing in Stock Car, Brazil's premier motorsport series, Hot Car is where Babi shines. She is not only the first woman in the history of the series to lead a team but also the first to stand on the podium to accept the Best Team trophy after winning a race.

“Lifting the Best Team trophy felt like a movie playing in my head. With all the daily challenges, it’s impossible not to question yourself—am I doing the right thing? Should I even be here? But in that moment, it feels like a divine answer that you are on the right path,” Babi reflects.

Babi Rodrigues e the team at the race track

From Veterinary Medicine to Motorsport

Bárbara Rodrigues holds a degree in veterinary medicine and even a master’s in animal nutrition. However, motorsport has always been a part of her life, as the daughter of Amadeu Rodrigues, who founded Hot Car after a racing career in the 1970s and 1980s.

“It was a passion that turned into a business for my father, and when that happens, you want your family close. That’s how I came to experience motorsport,” she shares.

Babi’s professional journey in motorsport began more recently. “When my father needed help, I didn’t think twice and gave up everything to work with him. [...] We worked side by side for two years. After he passed away, I stepped up to provide stability for the rest of the team.”

Despite taking over during a period of grief, Babi achieved significant results, bringing success and progress to the team.

A Place for Women

The growing interest of women in motorsport has been confirmed by audience studies, particularly in Formula 1. However, this surge in popularity is also evident in Stock Car.

“It’s growing so much. It’s amazing to see groups of women [at races]... It’s beautiful, and it breaks paradigms. I used to hear that women only watched racing to see the drivers, but today we can see how ridiculous that is. Motorsport is a captivating sport,” she reflects.

The outdated stereotype that women watch motorsport only for "handsome drivers" is not just a whispered remark or an online trope; it has even been echoed by prominent figures in global motorsport. In early 2023, Christian Horner, team principal of Formula 1’s Red Bull Racing, claimed in an interview that the sport’s popularity among women was due to Netflix’s Drive to Survive series and “young, handsome drivers.”

The comment, coming from the team principal of the reigning Constructors’ Champion, sparked backlash from women who follow the sport.

Despite such outdated notions about women’s interests, female fans remain devoted to motorsport, and figures like Babi Rodrigues inspire young women to pursue careers in the field.

“Today, I make it a point to shock people with the position I hold. I embrace femininity and show that it’s not about appearance or gender but about serious, dedicated work,” Babi says.

Challenges and Change

In its 16 years of existence, Stock Car has had only one female team principal—Babi—and very few women in leadership roles in engineering or mechanics. Moreover, there are no female drivers currently competing.

“Ability has no gender, but in motorsport, opportunities still do,” she reflects.

Even as the highest-ranking member of her team, Babi continues to face barriers rooted in sexism. “It always happens [sexism]. Not just because I’m a woman, but because I’m a very young team principal. I’m outside the norm, and anything different makes people uncomfortable,” she shares.

The number of women working in motorsport remains strikingly low. In Formula 1, for example, the team with the highest female representation still has less than 20% women. However, Babi is determined to change this scenario.

“We need to actively fight to increase opportunities for women. My responsibility as a woman and a team principal is to open doors and support young professionals who want to join the sport,” she affirms.