Formula 1 has traditionally been a male-dominated sport, both on and off the track. Svenja Tillemans believed it was time for a change. In 2016, she founded a club for women who wanted to discuss Formula 1 and watch races together. Looking back, it was an exciting and tumultuous period. “I faced a lot of criticism,” she recalls.
Formula 1 was a staple in the Tillemans household. Svenja’s parents watched every Grand Prix and always stayed up for the night races. “We were members of the Jos Verstappen Club,” the founder of the women’s platform remembers. “I grew up with it. Although I watch many other sports too, as they are the best thing on TV.”
She noticed that there were quite a few female fans back then, but they didn’t get the chance to participate in discussions in this male-dominated world. “Female F1 fans had nowhere to express their passion for racing, so to speak. And I found that disappointing,” says Tillemans. In 2016, she decided to do something about it, and Max Verstappen’s victory in Barcelona was her cue to take action. “I asked on social media if there was a need for a Facebook group for female Formula 1 fans. I received so many responses in no time that I had organized a fun gathering in Alphen aan de Rijn within two months to watch a Grand Prix together.”
From High Tea to Formula 1
The race was watched with a high tea, as a feminine touch was deemed necessary. A few months later, she organized a whole weekend in Valkenburg, and that’s where the concept of ‘Formula 1 Women’ truly began. “Grandpa Verstappen joined us on Saturday evening and we went out with him and the girls. It turned into a big party and on Sunday we watched the race at his place in Montfort. It was amazing and everything else just fell into place after that.”
The Dark Side
However, it’s not all fun and games for Tillemans. She faced health issues and was deeply affected by her public role against harassment in Formula 1. “Out of the blue, I was approached by several women to stand up for them and to address this issue. They also wanted to see if I could make changes in my role. It’s an honor that they trust me, but it was and still is quite challenging.”
“On social media,” Tillemans continues, “I received a lot of backlash whenever I posted about this issue. Like that incident of harassment during the Dutch Grand Prix. I said that some things needed to be adjusted because it wasn’t going well. I then received private threats with very intimidating texts. And it’s very strange, but the most disgusting and vile reactions came from women.”
The entire interview can be found in our double-thick summer package with the regular edition & the Dutch GP Special! Featuring an interim report by Tom Coronel, an interview with Max Verstappen, and how King Willem-Alexander secretly learned to race! Now available in stores and digitally (with free delivery in the Netherlands).
