Whether it’s thanks to the high-speed gravel stages many learn on, or the enviable skills obtained on the ice and snow of the harshest of winters, their achievements in the sport stretch back over several decades.
It’s no surprise then, that one of the most experienced finalists in the Beyond Women Driver Development Programme is 20-year-old Swedish driver, Hannah Jakobsson.
Following the sport from an early age thanks to her father, Hannah has now managed to rack up an incredible 75 event starts. Getting her career underway in a modest VW Polo, a move into a Mitsubishi Evo VII gave way to a Ford Fiesta R5 in 2023.
Hannah passionately believes the diverse driving conditions found in the region are an advantage to aspiring rally drivers.
“We have a lot of different road characters such as super-fast and wide Finnish roads, snowy roads in Norway with two-metre snowbanks and long tarmac roads in Denmark” she explains, “so, I think Scandinavian drivers get a lot of experience on different surfaces and road characters.”
This exposure to different terrains undoubtedly assists in developing versatility and adaptability, crucial skills in rallying. This unique combination of surfaces on offer has assisted in her bid to master the sport and has done her no harm in the move to the Fiesta R5 last season.
"That car taught me so much and helped me refine my driving skills. The Mitsubishi before it seemed to break down at every rally, and I even had a few off-road excursions. I felt a bit hopeless and wondered what I could do better. Luckily, my luck turned around from one rally to another and it started to go great again!”
One of fifteen finalists heading to the Poland final, Hannah is eager to reflect on her journey so far. “Never stop dreaming, take every opportunity you get and take advice from others who have been a bit longer in their career” she says.
“I want to work as a rally driver and have it as my daily job. That would be a dream and it's what I am working for!”
Europe
Poland
Turkey