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At just 14 years old, Katrina Ee is already making waves in the male-dominated world of karting nationally and even internationally.
Born to Malaysian and Hong Kong parents, this young girl’s journey shows her passion, perseverance, and determination to break barriers.
Furthermore, her story is an inspiring proof that with enough drive, age and gender are no obstacles to chasing your dreams.
Began karting at 7yo
Katrina’s karting adventure began at the tender age of seven, where it was first introduced to her by her parents.
“They asked me if I wanted to give it a try, and I thought to myself ‘Why not?’ I then began karting with my sister first as a hobby and it soon evolved into an aspiring goal and career for me,” she recalls.
This initial curiosity quickly turned into a serious pursuit as she discovered her talent and passion for racing. When Katrina turned nine, she was already competing in multiple races and it proved to be the turning point for her.
When I won my first race at nine, I knew I had to take this seriously. My parents were fully supportive of me in my karting ambitions and I went on to participate in larger races to nurture my karting career.
Breaking boundaries in a male-dominated sport
Being a young female racer in a predominantly male sport came with its own set of challenges, which Katrina is no stranger to. However, it hasn’t fazed or caused her to back down either.
“Even though karting is male-dominated, it motivates me to outperform the boys. I honestly don’t see any difference between male and female racers and I’m determined to break boundaries and take risks.
“One of proudest karting moments was in 2019 when I won my first trophy and secured third place overall in the novice category in the Rotax Max Challenge Asia at the end of the year.
“Coincidentally, it was also my dad’s birthday and winning that trophy made me realise that this is something I’m really good at,” she said with a smile.
In 2022, Katrina claimed the overall title for the Junior Max championship and a year later, she won the following Asian karting titles:
- Rok Cup Asian Champion 2023
- Rotax Trophy Asian Champion 2023
- Iame Series Asia Champion 2023
Katrina attributes her success to her team, who have been strong pillars of support for her throughout her karting journey.
Selected as 1st Asian representative in F1 programme
Aside from her karting competition wins, Katrina scored another feather in her cap when she was selected as the first Asian participant in the More than Equal Driver Development Programme.
Founded by 13-time F1 race winner David Coulthard and entrepreneur-philanthropist Karel Komarek, the initiative aims to find and develop the first female F1 world champion, and Katrina could hardly believe her luck in being selected.
“It makes me proud to represent Malaysia and show that women in Asia can excel in this sport. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and it motivates me to work even harder,” she said.
Facing her fears & embracing challenges
Given the fact that she was delving into a sport that’s generally considered to be a men’s sport, Katrina has faced her fair share of discrimination and bullying.
When I won the Asian championship, it felt like some people were trying to push me out, especially the boys.
“Coupled with the criticism hurled my way, I found myself knocked down mentally. However, my parents taught me to rise above negativity and not take those words to heart.
“In time, I learnt how to turn the criticism into ‘fuel’ to improve myself even more,” she asserts confidently.
Katrina added that not only did she have to endure verbal injuries, but physical ones as well due to the physical demands of the sport.
“I knew scratches and unfortunate incidents were part of the game. But instead of being held back by fear, I chose to embrace the challenges. Competing with some of the world’s best drivers has only fuelled my determination.”
Katrina also said her family’s unwavering support had been crucial in keeping her committed to the sport.
“They’ve been behind me from the start. My parents told me to give my best shot because you never know when it might be your last time on the track. This advice has kept her focused and driven, pushing her to maximise every opportunity,” she shared.
As for her education, Katrina said she has been attending a school in Kuala Lumpur since she was 10 along with furthering her karting journey.
“My teachers in Malaysia have been incredibly supportive and understanding of my commitment to the sport.
“I’m set to transition to online schooling in September, where it will allow me to focus more on honing my skills on the track while continuing my education,” she explained.
‘Take that leap’
When asked who was her role model in the karting world, Katrina pointed to Sophia Floersch, a 24-year-old German racing sensation known for her prowess in Formula Three and endurance events like Le Mans.
As to what advice she would give to other females looking to take a similar path, this was what Katrina had to say:
Take the leap and give it a try, but also listen to your parents—they’re your biggest supporters. Finding passion in what you do is crucial; it’s what kept me going.
“Don’t give up, even when it gets tough. Keep pushing forward, and you’ll see how far determination can take you,” she said.
Looking ahead, Katrina is set to compete in races across Europe and the UK in 2024, and she also firmly believes that she’s well on the way to fulfil her dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver.
As she continues to break barriers and achieve her dreams, Katrina paves the way for more young girls to follow in her footsteps and excel in the world of racing.
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