At 18, she is the first female Chilean driver to qualify for the FIA Motorsport Games
Competing in the FIA Motorsport Games remains one of my greatest accomplishments and challenges. The FIA is a prestigious organization in motorsports, and just being nominated felt like a huge responsibility. The news of my nomination brought on a surge of emotions.
- 2 years ago
May 14, 2023
María José Pérez de Arce (right) has been competing since the age of 11, training every day with her father, who also races. | Photo courtesy of Sergio Vargas
SANTIAGO, Chile — At just 11 years old, I sat behind the wheel of a motorsports kart for the first time. The smell of gasoline, the colors of the racetrack, and the drivers around me filled me with adrenaline. The kart had no doors, just a personalized bucket seat which hugged me tightly. I felt no fear in that moment. I always loved the thrill of racing, and the sound of roaring engines.
Now, as a professional driver, I train every day in kart racing, as I prepare to race in the Formula 4 series this year. If things go well, and I get the proper resources, I hope to race abroad next year, and honor the women of Chile.
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Competing against seasoned drivers for the first time
The first time I competed, my entire family came to support me. An beautiful day in early May, the weather felt comforting. We headed to the empty track, and I raced around as they watched. My family quickly realized I had a natural talent for it. For my birthday, my dad got me a kart so he could teach me to race.
We started training regularly, and with dedication and hard work, I quickly caught up to experienced racers who had been in the sport for years. At home, my physical training consisted of sit-ups and inventing exercises. Within three months, I began competing at a professional level, pushing myself to the limits alongside my brother. We felt determined to reach the top as quickly as possible.
Competing in the FIA Motorsport Games remains one of my greatest accomplishments and challenges. The FIA is a prestigious organization in motorsports, and just being nominated felt like a huge responsibility. The news of my nomination brought on a surge of emotions. I never received news this incredible, so it took a while to process it. It felt like a monumental achievement I worked toward my whole life. The anticipation overwhelmed me.
I represented not only myself, but also my country, Chile, and women in sports. Among 26 competitors, I remained the only woman. From the day I started racing Formula 4, my primary goal was to improve and compete on an international stage. When I finally made it to the FIA Motorsport Games, I could barely believe it as I sat in kart about to compete in France, on a circuit where Formula One drivers raced just months before.
In the middle of the race, my car suddenly stopped
The day of the race, I found myself surrounded by esteemed drivers from my category. It felt surreal. I soaked in the atmosphere and experienced the weight of the moment. More motivated than ever before, I thought about my goal and eagerness appeared, to prove my potential to Chile. At one moment during the race, we faced a technical failure with the car. My heart began pounding in my chest. I believed I lost the race right then and there.
Everyone else seemed way ahead, and I fought hard not to get demotivated. Thankfully, we managed to fix it quickly. I tried my best to catch up, but it was too late for the last race. While I felt disappointed by the outcome, it still remains one of my most cherished memories.
Since the start of my sports career, I have learned many valuable life lessons. My passion for motorsports grows every single day. Being able to share this passion with my family makes this all the more rewarding. It feels amazing to be able to discuss it with my mother and father, and feel their support and encouragement every step of the way.
When I first started, many felt surprised a woman could have the same level of skill as male drivers in such a short time. Although I have yet to win a competition, my fast progress shows the dedication my father and I put into this sport. The more people doubt me, the more I feel motivated to get better. After the event, I promoted motorsports on my social media platforms in order to support other drivers who may need help. I still hope to test a Formula car in Europe and win championships in Chile.
