In a scenario where most women struggle to squat with the weight of an adult male, Shi Wei, known online as "Tie Dou", has often been seen doing just that — under less-than-ideal conditions — all to achieve the strong leg muscles and physical fitness requirements of her passion: racing.

From March 21 to 23, the 2025 Formula One Heineken Chinese Grand Prix will roar to life at the Shanghai International Circuit.

It will also mark the return of China's first F1 driver Zhou Guanyu in a new role with Ferrari and the Chinese debut of the F1 Academy, a groundbreaking all-female racing series launched by Formula One in 2023. Lining up on the grid will be wild-card entry Shi, the first Chinese female F1 Academy driver, and champion of the Challenge Cup at the Shanghai leg of the 2024 F4 Chinese Grand Prix.

Transitioning from a media professional to a race car driver, Shi not only continually pushes her limits, but also symbolizes the rise of female drivers in the sport.

A life without limits

Shi's story began with her passion for sports. Hailing from Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, she graduated from the Ocean University of China in Qingdao. After graduation, she worked in the Qingdao Customs news and publicity department.

"Since I was a kid, I've loved almost all kinds of sports," Shi recalled in an interview. "My major was journalism and communication. In my spare time, I'd edit videos and share my sports experiences online."

Her posts attracted a large following, making her realize the influence of sports. "By sharing my experiences, I can inspire more people to take up a sport, and that's incredibly meaningful to me," she said.

Therefore, in pursuit of her extreme sports dreams, she resigned from her job in 2018 and immersed herself in self-media entrepreneurship in promoting and popularizing extreme sports, even though self-media wasn't a lucrative venture back then.

"I quit without any backup plan. I even lived at the ski resort, survived on instant noodles, and made and shared skiing tutorials every day," she revealed. "Starting with skiing, I gradually got into other sports. Then, by chance, I discovered my love for racing."

The road to F1 Academy

Shi's passion for racing was kindled during her childhood.

"When I was young, the only exposure I had to racing was through video games like Need for Speed. It planted a seed in my heart," she said.

But, the turning point came in 2020, when she first encountered a real Formula racing car on the track for the first time in Wuyi, Zhejiang province, the hometown of racing legend Xu Lang.

Despite some likening the car to a large go-kart, this unforgettable experience made her deep-seated dream of racing even clearer.

"At that moment, I thought to myself that one day I will step onto a real racing track," Shi recalled.

Years of outstanding performances have earned her the qualification to participate in the F1 Academy. Since its establishment in 2023, the F1 Academy has been committed to providing a pathway for female drivers to advance to higher-level competitions.

To prepare for the tournament, Shi is experiencing intense training at a circuit in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

"I've put most of my work on hold for the past two months to focus on training," she said.

Her daily schedule is packed, including physical training, recovery sessions, track driving, simulator drills and studying racing theory.

"Racing is a sport that heavily tests your mental strength, requiring you to make the right decisions under extreme conditions," Shi explained, emphasizing the importance of psychological resilience.

She shared an experience where her coach deliberately provoked her during race to induce an emotional breakdown before continuing.

"This training taught me how to stay calm under extreme pressure," she reflected.

"I hope to showcase the results of my training during the race, and finish well," Shi said.

Following Shi's wild-card entry as China's first F1 Academy race participant, Zhou offered his congratulations: "I'm very happy to see motor sports gaining more fans in China, and I'm thrilled to see more women emerging in the motor sports industry, which is highly positive for the future of the entire sport."

Shi chose the number 24 as her car number, the same number Zhou once used. "It's a continuation of hope and strength!" She exclaimed.

Shi also incorporated Chinese elements into her racing suit design. "I added elements inspired by qipao dresses, blue-and-white porcelain, and traditional Chinese patterns. I want to bring the elegance and confidence of Chinese women to the track."

Female racers on the rise 

Shi's journey is not an isolated case. In recent years, an increasing number of Chinese women have been stepping into the world of motor sports.

"Back in 2020, it was rare to see women on the track, and there were even some biases against female drivers. But now, more and more female faces are showing up in races across the country," she said.

Shi recalled being deeply touched when engineers specifically adjusted the brake pedal design for female drivers during a grand touring race last year. "Manufacturers from both home and abroad held overnight meetings to make racing cars more suitable for women," she added.

However, female racers still face numerous challenges.

Racing requires not only advanced technical skills, but also high-level physical fitness. Using Formula racing as an example, Shi explained: "Formula cars lack brake and steering assistance, with heavy steering wheels and brake pedals requiring 100 to 120 pounds (45-55kg) of force per press."

To generate enough braking force in Formula cars, she underwent extensive leg training. "Sometimes when I'm on a business trip and can't go to the gym, I do squats with a male colleague on my back."

"My neck grew 2.5 centimeters thicker in three months, and my physique became stronger. Racing demands high levels of strength, endurance and mental resilience," she explained, admitting that female racers need to put in extra effort when it comes to physical fitness.

Recognizing the difficulties faced by female racers, many institutions and organizations are making an effort to accommodate them. Besides the F1 Academy, the FIA Girls on Track project under the Formula E World Championship announced an expansion plan last November for its 11th season. The plan aims to provide 50 more young women with richer race-day experiences and exclusive behind-the-scenes access for those looking to build careers in motor sport racing and STEM fields.

Julia Palle, vice-president of sustainability at Formula E, stated: "We are committed to continuously providing as many opportunities as possible for young women aspiring to enter the racing industry. We are acutely aware of the imbalance between male and female roles, and, as more projects and opportunities enable women to learn and grow in the industry, the sector itself will achieve equilibrium, benefiting all participants."

Shi's participation in the F1 Academy is not only an affirmation of her personal abilities, but also a microcosm of the rise of Chinese female racers.

Despite competing against topnotch international drivers, Shi remains confident.

"My goal is not just about personal achievements.

"I hope to inspire more women to enter the world of motor sports through my efforts."