Bia is an excellent driver for sure.
She really had chances to go F1 as PPDiniz (or former Cart - Andre Ribeiro) is her manager.
Only time will tell good enought for WDC.
Full Version: 'Bia' Figueiredo
After conquering the third place today on race 3, Bia is the new leader of the brazilian F-Renault 
However, the best thing today was watching her overtaking the talented Allan Hellmeister on the last lap - 'the move of the day'
(standings on post 43)
However, the best thing today was watching her overtaking the talented Allan Hellmeister on the last lap - 'the move of the day'
(standings on post 43)
Wow! how did I miss this thread before? Just found it via the 'Women in F1'one. I have never heard of this lady before,guess I did not even know that 'Bia ' was female. She certainly now moves to the top of the table, ahead of Britain's Susie Stoddart.
I now have 2 reasons for a trip to Vittoria, Brazil!
I now have 2 reasons for a trip to Vittoria, Brazil!
Time to wake up this thread,as I see from live timing that Bia is quickest in first practice for FR support race at Interlagos. Hope we will get to see her in World Series Renault next year.
I have seen hundreds of kart races in three continents, and Bia Figueiredo was the best female kart driver I ever saw. Granted, to chauvinists like Mr. Ross Stonefeld that may not mean much (Ross, first you say "A world of caring about a driver's ability, not their ass", and then you show your true self in "she looks like Tony Kanaan in a heavy metal band" - oh, how typically funny of yours :\ ).
Going back to more relevant issues, Bia impressed me with her technical feedback (far better than average) and smooth, de Angelis-like driving style. Also, even though she is quite experienced (in karts) she is just nineteen - she has a lot ahead of her. Her career is being well managed and she is learning to leave the pressure aside (I for one am glad that she is Brazilian; if she were American the whole freaking media would be over her and this does not help a driver to develop - quite the opposite).
Bia has less raw talent than some more known fellows, but she uses her brain better than most. Looking around the world - and please help me if I am forgetting some other outstanding female driver - she is the best on her age bracket (18 to 25). Danica Patrick, frankly, is a joke, and Sarah Fisher is just too inconsistent and wild (I remember once a conversation with Eddie Cheever when we both said, almost at the same time, "one of these days she is going to have a big one, and she may take someone else with her" after seeing her laps at Phoenix).
Another outstanding young female Brazilian driver is a girl named Letícia Zanetti. In my opinion, she is very promising - it is a shame that her career is completely unfunded. At the wheel of a car, Letícia and Bia could not be more different - Letícia has lots of sheer talent and is very audacious, more in the lines of people like Rindt, Villeneuve, Montoya (I am obviously not comparing Zanetti to them; this is just a simplistic description of her driving style).
Also, while Bia was groomed from a young age to be a race car driver, Letícia is one of those cases of natural skills for it: her father used to race karts and one day she just asked to drive a few laps, out of the blue, and blew his times away (apparently by more than two seconds). At age fifteen on her second car race ever, she finished third in the Mil Milhas Brasileiras - a 1000-mile endurance race, the most coveted motorsports trophy of Brazil.
Rob, in my humble opinion Bia seems to be much more promising than Susie Stoddart - tables may turn, but it looks very unlikely. (Also, a picky correction of mine: the name of the town is Vitória, not Vittoria).
Cheers,
Muzza
Going back to more relevant issues, Bia impressed me with her technical feedback (far better than average) and smooth, de Angelis-like driving style. Also, even though she is quite experienced (in karts) she is just nineteen - she has a lot ahead of her. Her career is being well managed and she is learning to leave the pressure aside (I for one am glad that she is Brazilian; if she were American the whole freaking media would be over her and this does not help a driver to develop - quite the opposite).
Bia has less raw talent than some more known fellows, but she uses her brain better than most. Looking around the world - and please help me if I am forgetting some other outstanding female driver - she is the best on her age bracket (18 to 25). Danica Patrick, frankly, is a joke, and Sarah Fisher is just too inconsistent and wild (I remember once a conversation with Eddie Cheever when we both said, almost at the same time, "one of these days she is going to have a big one, and she may take someone else with her" after seeing her laps at Phoenix).
Another outstanding young female Brazilian driver is a girl named Letícia Zanetti. In my opinion, she is very promising - it is a shame that her career is completely unfunded. At the wheel of a car, Letícia and Bia could not be more different - Letícia has lots of sheer talent and is very audacious, more in the lines of people like Rindt, Villeneuve, Montoya (I am obviously not comparing Zanetti to them; this is just a simplistic description of her driving style).
Also, while Bia was groomed from a young age to be a race car driver, Letícia is one of those cases of natural skills for it: her father used to race karts and one day she just asked to drive a few laps, out of the blue, and blew his times away (apparently by more than two seconds). At age fifteen on her second car race ever, she finished third in the Mil Milhas Brasileiras - a 1000-mile endurance race, the most coveted motorsports trophy of Brazil.
Rob, in my humble opinion Bia seems to be much more promising than Susie Stoddart - tables may turn, but it looks very unlikely. (Also, a picky correction of mine: the name of the town is Vitória, not Vittoria).
Cheers,
Muzza
Formula Renault live timing
Physically speaking, there are two things that place a premium on women driving formula cars: the weigth of the steering wheel, and the G-forces around high-speed corners. It's not about being chauvinist; it's about the basic nature of the woman body. They tend to have less of a natural build on these areas, and therefore have to work harder; not to mention that this leads to a big change of their own appearance, that may make them subject to some social distress. Women swimmers already have some issues like this -- several leave the sport once they realize how much they body, and their looks, will be affected by it. It's more of a social fact, but still... a fact. (I know, I know -- it may sound silly, but just ask a swimmer about it. Some care about it to the point of leaving the sport. Some don't, but *nobody* in their sane mind will deny it).
But my point isn't really if a woman can build torso & neck muscles or not -- of sure they can, if they want to. The point is that with the changes in regulations, specially regarding tires, the premium on the neck strength will be lower. G-forces will be smaller with slower speeds due to lesser adherence on high-speed turns. Power steering is a good help also, and almost all top cars have it. The G-Force issue is more of a problem IMHO now, and will be less of an issue in 2005 than it is today.
But my point isn't really if a woman can build torso & neck muscles or not -- of sure they can, if they want to. The point is that with the changes in regulations, specially regarding tires, the premium on the neck strength will be lower. G-forces will be smaller with slower speeds due to lesser adherence on high-speed turns. Power steering is a good help also, and almost all top cars have it. The G-Force issue is more of a problem IMHO now, and will be less of an issue in 2005 than it is today.
Danica Patrick deserves a shot before this woman does...
Originally posted by Muzza
I have seen hundreds of kart races in three continents, and Bia Figueiredo was the best female kart driver I ever saw. Granted, to chauvinists like Mr. Ross Stonefeld that may not mean much (Ross, first you say "A world of caring about a driver's ability, not their ass", and then you show your true self in "she looks like Tony Kanaan in a heavy metal band" - oh, how typically funny of yours :\ ).
Going back to more relevant issues, Bia impressed me with her technical feedback (far better than average) and smooth, de Angelis-like driving style. Also, even though she is quite experienced (in karts) she is just nineteen - she has a lot ahead of her. Her career is being well managed and she is learning to leave the pressure aside (I for one am glad that she is Brazilian; if she were American the whole freaking media would be over her and this does not help a driver to develop - quite the opposite).
Bia has less raw talent than some more known fellows, but she uses her brain better than most. Looking around the world - and please help me if I am forgetting some other outstanding female driver - she is the best on her age bracket (18 to 25). Danica Patrick, frankly, is a joke, and Sarah Fisher is just too inconsistent and wild (I remember once a conversation with Eddie Cheever when we both said, almost at the same time, "one of these days she is going to have a big one, and she may take someone else with her" after seeing her laps at Phoenix).
Another outstanding young female Brazilian driver is a girl named Letícia Zanetti. In my opinion, she is very promising - it is a shame that her career is completely unfunded. At the wheel of a car, Letícia and Bia could not be more different - Letícia has lots of sheer talent and is very audacious, more in the lines of people like Rindt, Villeneuve, Montoya (I am obviously not comparing Zanetti to them; this is just a simplistic description of her driving style).
Also, while Bia was groomed from a young age to be a race car driver, Letícia is one of those cases of natural skills for it: her father used to race karts and one day she just asked to drive a few laps, out of the blue, and blew his times away (apparently by more than two seconds). At age fifteen on her second car race ever, she finished third in the Mil Milhas Brasileiras - a 1000-mile endurance race, the most coveted motorsports trophy of Brazil.
Rob, in my humble opinion Bia seems to be much more promising than Susie Stoddart - tables may turn, but it looks very unlikely. (Also, a picky correction of mine: the name of the town is Vitória, not Vittoria).
Cheers,
Muzza
I have seen hundreds of kart races in three continents, and Bia Figueiredo was the best female kart driver I ever saw. Granted, to chauvinists like Mr. Ross Stonefeld that may not mean much (Ross, first you say "A world of caring about a driver's ability, not their ass", and then you show your true self in "she looks like Tony Kanaan in a heavy metal band" - oh, how typically funny of yours :\ ).
Going back to more relevant issues, Bia impressed me with her technical feedback (far better than average) and smooth, de Angelis-like driving style. Also, even though she is quite experienced (in karts) she is just nineteen - she has a lot ahead of her. Her career is being well managed and she is learning to leave the pressure aside (I for one am glad that she is Brazilian; if she were American the whole freaking media would be over her and this does not help a driver to develop - quite the opposite).
Bia has less raw talent than some more known fellows, but she uses her brain better than most. Looking around the world - and please help me if I am forgetting some other outstanding female driver - she is the best on her age bracket (18 to 25). Danica Patrick, frankly, is a joke, and Sarah Fisher is just too inconsistent and wild (I remember once a conversation with Eddie Cheever when we both said, almost at the same time, "one of these days she is going to have a big one, and she may take someone else with her" after seeing her laps at Phoenix).
Another outstanding young female Brazilian driver is a girl named Letícia Zanetti. In my opinion, she is very promising - it is a shame that her career is completely unfunded. At the wheel of a car, Letícia and Bia could not be more different - Letícia has lots of sheer talent and is very audacious, more in the lines of people like Rindt, Villeneuve, Montoya (I am obviously not comparing Zanetti to them; this is just a simplistic description of her driving style).
Also, while Bia was groomed from a young age to be a race car driver, Letícia is one of those cases of natural skills for it: her father used to race karts and one day she just asked to drive a few laps, out of the blue, and blew his times away (apparently by more than two seconds). At age fifteen on her second car race ever, she finished third in the Mil Milhas Brasileiras - a 1000-mile endurance race, the most coveted motorsports trophy of Brazil.
Rob, in my humble opinion Bia seems to be much more promising than Susie Stoddart - tables may turn, but it looks very unlikely. (Also, a picky correction of mine: the name of the town is Vitória, not Vittoria).
Cheers,
Muzza
I dont care if she's the best female driver; she needs to be the best, period.
Originally posted by Gabbiano
Danica Patrick deserves a shot before this woman does...
Why? and a shot at what? She has not exactly excelled in the poorly supported Toyota Atlantic this year.
Danica Patrick deserves a shot before this woman does...
Congratulations Bia Figueiredo, the first woman in the world to win a Formula Renault race, from pole to victory 
How does it feel? : )
How does it feel? : )
Wow! 2 female winners in one day 
with Katherine Legge at Long Beach. is this a record?
with Katherine Legge at Long Beach. is this a record?
Originally posted by Gabbiano
Danica Patrick deserves a shot before this woman does...
Danica Patrick deserves a shot before this woman does...
Bit late, but Bia's nearly there...
she has a great looking helmet, but other than that and being a woman racer, i dont see anything special in her results. At the A1GP in China she hardly progressed during the test sessions.
nicely try to get her some attention on this BB, but I am still waiting for that killer woman racer to come along.
nicely try to get her some attention on this BB, but I am still waiting for that killer woman racer to come along.
She has already been and gone... Michelle Mouton. 
Unfortunate choice of words, g&v, given the Eric Martin fatality...
Fantastic start for her in Indy Lights
Racing under the name of Ana Biatriz
http://www.biafigueiredo.com/en/index.htm
Jp
Racing under the name of Ana Biatriz
http://www.biafigueiredo.com/en/index.htm
Jp
Mah, it is impossible to predict a career from early results. Jos Verstappen's wife as a teenager used to beat, at time, in karts a certain Jarno Trulli who eventually became a top karting driver, let alone a GP winner. If she gets into British F3 or GP2 and starts beating the guys, then it will matter.......
Originally posted by Most Fastest
Mah, it is impossible to predict a career from early results. Jos Verstappen's wife as a teenager used to beat, at time, in karts a certain Jarno Trulli who eventually became a top karting driver, let alone a GP winner. If she gets into British F3 or GP2 and starts beating the guys, then it will matter.......
Suggest you read this thread from the first page.She has has beaten many guys in brazilian F.Renault & SudAmF3.What I have been unable to establish is WHY she has changed her name? Her results in first 2 meetings in Indy Lights seem to indicate more promise than Danica?
Mah, it is impossible to predict a career from early results. Jos Verstappen's wife as a teenager used to beat, at time, in karts a certain Jarno Trulli who eventually became a top karting driver, let alone a GP winner. If she gets into British F3 or GP2 and starts beating the guys, then it will matter.......
Thanks jonpolock for providing her new website-old one with seeminly identical address no longer works.
Did not know she ever drove an A1GP car.Was reported to be reserve driver for brazil,but did she get a serious chance to drive?
Originally posted by Rob29
What I have been unable to establish is WHY she has changed her name?
What I have been unable to establish is WHY she has changed her name?
She hasn't changed her name, just how its translated to English.
Quote from the article at the start of this thread:-
Ana Beatriz Figueiredo - Bia, for short -
Similarly Ayrton Senna Da'Silva, was know as Ayton DaSilva for many years in junior formula, but became known as Ayton Senna later.
It's just a difference in how Family names are handed down in Brazil compered to the English speaking world.
She did a very good race 2 today but her teammate took her out of track when she was leading the pack 8 laps to go... When she spun back ended up hitting another car. A shame. She's very good, has a lot of potential. GO BIA!
Just came across this thread and thought some might enjoy more background...
I read about Bia back in 2006. Here is the lengthy profile from a sports supplement published by The New York Times (reg may be required), "Polite When in Neutral"
I read about Bia back in 2006. Here is the lengthy profile from a sports supplement published by The New York Times (reg may be required), "Polite When in Neutral"
Originally posted by Youichi
She hasn't changed her name, just how its translated to English.
Quote from the article at the start of this thread:-
Similarly Ayrton Senna Da'Silva, was know as Ayton DaSilva for many years in junior formula, but became known as Ayton Senna later.
It's just a difference in how Family names are handed down in Brazil compered to the English speaking world.
Thanks Youichi! I should have remember that! It also applied to the other great brazilian female driver,who did not like her 'surname' and was henceforth known just as 'Suzane'
She hasn't changed her name, just how its translated to English.
Quote from the article at the start of this thread:-
Similarly Ayrton Senna Da'Silva, was know as Ayton DaSilva for many years in junior formula, but became known as Ayton Senna later.
It's just a difference in how Family names are handed down in Brazil compered to the English speaking world.
Bia finished 5th in the Indy Lights series race Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This was the highest finish by a female in the six-year history of the race.
How many females have done the Indylights race at Indianapolis?
Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
How many females have done the Indylights race at Indianapolis?
None before the 2 this year that I can recall.
How many females have done the Indylights race at Indianapolis?
BIA WINS AT NASHVILLE
Onwards and upwards girl
Jp
Onwards and upwards girl
Jp
GO BIA!!!
Originally posted by jonpollak
BIA WINS AT NASHVILLE
Onwards and upwards girl
Jp
BIA WINS AT NASHVILLE
Onwards and upwards girl
Jp
Fantastic job Bia!!!!
Let's hope Helio can also convert his pole into a win and make an all brazilian Saturday at Nashville!
"Woman found who doesn't completely suck at motor racing shock!" 
Mind you, any series in which Richard Antinucci is the gold standard probably hasn't got TOO much depth. And, no, I'm not implying Antinucci sucks - he's a good driver, but not THAT good. Plus Luyendyk Jnr. in fifth place kinda worries me too...
Mind you, any series in which Richard Antinucci is the gold standard probably hasn't got TOO much depth. And, no, I'm not implying Antinucci sucks - he's a good driver, but not THAT good. Plus Luyendyk Jnr. in fifth place kinda worries me too...
Not to mention JR Hilldebrand as well.
He demolished the F2000 field a few years back .
He demolished the F2000 field a few years back .
Nice win for Bia in Iowa the other night. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NWVPWWMqMA
http://www.youtube.com/user/biafans
Mind you, she almost had another massive shunt as she passed the upside down Pippa Mann on the cool down lap
Jp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NWVPWWMqMA
http://www.youtube.com/user/biafans
Mind you, she almost had another massive shunt as she passed the upside down Pippa Mann on the cool down lap
Jp
She has my "Royal Seal of Approval" I can tell you!
http://www.biaracing.com/sitecompleto/imag...buns_de_fotos.8
Wow, she comes standard with driver and passenger airbags and I just want to say that I'm behind her all the way
Wow, she comes standard with driver and passenger airbags and I just want to say that I'm behind her all the way
QUOTE (cheapracer @ Jun 22 2009, 12:25) 
http://www.biaracing.com/sitecompleto/imag...buns_de_fotos.8
Wow, she comes standard with driver and passenger airbags and I just want to say that I'm behind her all the way
Wow, she comes standard with driver and passenger airbags and I just want to say that I'm behind her all the way
She looks kind of plain to me. Cool gym shots though, chicks who work out are hot. Also she looks genuinely happy and caring playing with the kids.
Between the pics and the interview seems like someone who on a personal level would be fun to support. She's certainly paying her dues. Also if she keeps working out hard she can skip IRL completely and go straight to NASCAR!
QUOTE (OfficeLinebacker @ Jun 22 2009, 20:36)
She looks kind of plain to me. Cool gym shots though, chicks who work out are hot. Also she looks genuinely happy and caring playing with the kids.
Between the pics and the interview seems like someone who on a personal level would be fun to support. She's certainly paying her dues. Also if she keeps working out hard she can skip IRL completely and go straight to NASCAR!
Between the pics and the interview seems like someone who on a personal level would be fun to support. She's certainly paying her dues. Also if she keeps working out hard she can skip IRL completely and go straight to NASCAR!
Definitely Bia is an authentic person, I rate her higher than the likes of Sarah Fisher.
She and Natacha Gachnang, the cousin of Sebastien Buemi, could finally be the girls who will make it to F1.
QUOTE (Henrytheeigth @ Jun 22 2009, 17:15)
She has my "Royal Seal of Approval" I can tell you!
Oh oh, so did Anne Boleyn.
QUOTE (aditya-now @ Jun 23 2009, 02:44)
Definitely Bia is an authentic person, I rate her higher than the likes of Sarah Fisher.
She and Natacha Gachnang, the cousin of Sebastien Buemi, could finally be the girls who will make it to F1.
She and Natacha Gachnang, the cousin of Sebastien Buemi, could finally be the girls who will make it to F1.
errr, Maria Teresa de Filippis, Lella Lombardi or Giovanna Amati ......
QUOTE (OfficeLinebacker @ Jun 23 2009, 02:36)
She looks kind of plain to me. Cool gym shots though, chicks who work out are hot.
She has a face?
Nice steady driving in that lottery of an IndyCar race in the streets of Sao Paulo
A successful debut.
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=bODyLj7CNvs
Jp
A successful debut.
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=bODyLj7CNvs
Jp
QUOTE (cheapracer @ Jun 23 2009, 14:32)
errr, Maria Teresa de Filippis, Lella Lombardi or Giovanna Amati ......
Ya, but they are long gone - 50s, 70s and 90s.
What I mean is them making it to F1 now in the 2010s...another 20 years later.
But most probably it won´t happen. Unless Bernie develops a strong interest for it to happen....
QUOTE (jonpollak @ May 11 2010, 22:24)
Fifth woman to enter the Indy 500 - great news! I hope she does well.
QUOTE (aditya-now @ May 12 2010, 00:58)
Fifth woman to enter the Indy 500 - great news! I hope she does well.
Fastest female this year, currently stands 19th and (touch wood) safely in.
Amusingly bumped AJ Foyt IV from the field.
QUOTE (ensign14 @ May 22 2010, 21:51)
Amusingly bumped AJ Foyt IV from the field.
What happened to the great Foyt name in the fourth generation?
Great, Bia, she also looks matured and I hope she will be doing well...
Holy mother of overtaking!!!!
I just watched the second race from Florianópolis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqEPy7dbkKE
And what a cool celebration!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN1P-7u2JoU
From P11 that girl demolished all the great Brazilians in a fearsome display of undeniable class and talent to WIN THE RACE.
She even made my wife say..."you mean a girl just beat all those F1 guys?"
I told ya she was the business!!!
Jp
I just watched the second race from Florianópolis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqEPy7dbkKE
And what a cool celebration!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN1P-7u2JoU
From P11 that girl demolished all the great Brazilians in a fearsome display of undeniable class and talent to WIN THE RACE.
She even made my wife say..."you mean a girl just beat all those F1 guys?"
I told ya she was the business!!!
Jp
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