Two-time KA100 Karting Champion Yana Kapoor is making the leap to open-wheel racing, announcing her decision to join World Speed Motorsports (WSM) for this pivotal next step in her career. This move is particularly significant, driven by both a family connection and WSM’s long-standing commitment to fostering female talent in motorsports.
One key factor in Kapoor’s choice is her older brother, who recently completed a successful season with WSM in Formula 4, securing three wins and finishing as vice-champion. This direct experience offers Yana invaluable insight and a familiar pathway into single-seater competition.
However, the decision runs deeper than family ties. World Speed Motorsports boasts a rich history of supporting women in racing, a commitment that predates widespread industry recognition. For decades, WSM has actively cultivated the talent of exceptional female drivers, recognizing that the confidence, strength, and character honed on the track are essential for powerful leadership, both on and off the podium.
The list of accomplished women who have raced with World Speed Motorsports over the years is impressive:
- Ginni Swanton (1995-1999 Star Mazda Championship)
- Debbie Girdler (1995-1999 Star Mazda Championship)
- Kerstin Smutney (2012 Formula Car Challenge FormulaSPEED)
- Michele Baumgartner (2013-2014 Star Mazda Championship)
- Toni Breidinger (2015 Rising Star Award Winner)
- Angela Durazo (2017 FormulaSPEED and FIA F4 Testing Program)
- Courtney Crone (2018 WSM/VMB FormulaSPEED Champion, who also competed in F4 and Lamborghini Super Trofeo with World Speed before being selected as a Haas F1 Formula 1 Academy Driver for 2024 and 2025)
- Lyn St. James (2017 FormulaSPEED test day in preparation for a vintage event)
- Amanda Cartier (2019 F4 Championship)
Beyond the drivers, World Speed has also championed women in critical behind-the-scenes roles. Renu Malhotra, who joined the team in 1996 as a Data Systems Engineer, is a prime example. Malhotra was integral to the team’s Toyota Atlantic effort, contributing to multiple podiums and a win at Gateway, and played a significant role in developing the GEN2 FormulaSPEED. Malhotra, who holds a Masters in Engineering from the University of Cambridge, is now a well-known Independent Motorsports Systems Engineer and Race Strategist in the IndyCar and IMSA paddocks.
“We are proud of our history of developing female talent in motorsports,” stated Team President Telo Stewart. “It takes drive and a very strong personality to be a part of this sport regardless of gender. The women we have worked with exhibit this trait to an extraordinary degree. We recognize how hard it is for anyone to ‘break-in,’ and really enjoy working with passionate people with big goals.”
This commitment to inclusivity extends beyond gender. World Speed has also established a strong legacy of nurturing talented drivers from diverse backgrounds. Notably, no other team has developed more drivers for IMSA’s Drive For Diversity program than World Speed, with a roster that includes Jaden Conwright, Courtney Crone, Kyle Loh, Bryson Lew, and Cameron Parsons.
For Yana Kapoor, joining World Speed Motorsports represents more than just a team affiliation; it’s an entry into a program with a proven track record of nurturing talent, promoting diversity, and providing a clear path for young drivers, especially women, to excel in the demanding world of open-wheel racing. Her journey from karting champion to single-seater aspirant is now officially underway with a team known for turning potential into podiums.