Comox Valley teen racing sensation Nicole Havrda is getting some national attention as fans of car racing focus on Montreal and the Canadian Grand Prix.
Havrda, 18, has been climbing the ranks of the racing world for a few years. In 2023 (at the age of 17) she won the American Formula 3 Championship.
This week, she is being featured on TSN in the Jarmain Productions documentary, The Car Knows No Difference.
The documentary chronicles the past four years of Havrda91Ƶs career.
91ƵIn early 2020 when I was still karting, Mercedes Benz Canada called and asked if I wanted to be starred in a documentary and of course, I said yes,91Ƶ said Havrda. 91ƵThen after that, they started filming basically everything. It shows my journey from karting all the way until now, which is Formula 3.
91ƵThe documentary91Ƶ shows the challenges women go through to be involved in racing. My story was unique because it shows my progression into the sport, going from karting to Formula 4 to GT4 AMG and then to Formula 3.91Ƶ
Havrda91Ƶs ultimate goal is to race Formula 1. At this point in her career, the exposure she will receive from this documentary is invaluable.
91ƵThis exposure is super important especially to get sponsors (and) followers and just to get my name out there,91Ƶ Havrda said. 91ƵSince the motorsport world keeps growing it is important for me to get my name into everyone91Ƶs faces and the biggest thing is to continue to get sponsors because that is what will help bring me to Formula 1.91Ƶ
Scheduled (PDT) times for viewing The Car Knows No Difference are as follows:
Friday, June 7, TSN3 12:30 p.m.
Friday, June 7, TSN5 4:30 p.m.
Friday, June 7, TSN2 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 8, TSN4 11 a.m.
Saturday, June 8, TSN5 11 a.m.
Saturday, June 8, TSN 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 08, TSN3 9 p.m.
Monday, June 10, TSN2 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 11, TSN2 1 p.m.
Wednesday, June 12, TSN5 9 a.m.
Saturday, June 15, TSN3 9 p.m.
Saturday, June 15, TSN4 9 p.m.
Havrda said the next step for her is to race on the European circuit.
91ƵThe next step is to race in Formula 3 in Europe since I am currently racing it in America,91Ƶ she said. 91ƵThen of course F2 and F1. I am open to any opportunity that comes my way, (whether) it91Ƶs Indycar or sports cars but of course, the goal is to make it to Formula 1.91Ƶ
Should Havrda reach that ultimate goal, she would get to a point very few women have ever achieved.
Italian driving legend Lella Lombardi is the only woman who scored points in Formula 1, competing from 1974 to 1976. Lombardi participated in 17 races and started 12. Her best result came in the 1975 , where she finished sixth. It was her second career F1 race.
Hravda remains humble about her accomplishments to date.
91ƵWell I try to take myself as a normal person just doing something that I love but yes I guess I am a trailblazer,91Ƶ she said.