Milla Sjöstrand: Sweden’s Rising Star Racing Towards Formula 1
Join 17-year-old Milla as she shares her journey from karting prodigy to Formula 4 contender, her vision for women in motorsport, and her advice for aspiring drivers chasing their racing dreams.
Can you introduce yourself and your career in motorsport?
My name is Milla Sjöstrand, I’m a 17 years old racing driver from Sweden. I first got a taste of motorsport when I was 4 years old at a vacation in Gran Canaria. I loved it so when I was 6 years old (old enough to do karting) I got to try that at a local karting track. Something just felt right and karting became my thing. I started competing and it was really successful and as I got older I reached higher categories. I have been selected to the girls on track, rising stars programme three times. I’m the only girl in the world that has achieved that and I’m also a finalist in that programme. I have competed in the highest ranked karting series in Sweden, as well as some international races. This year I have been racing in Belgium, Sweden and The Netherlands. I have also been doing F4 testing in Italy.
What is the championship in which you dream to race ?
My biggest dream is to race in formula 1. But in the nearest future I want to race in formula 4 and from that move upwards
Do you have a routine before a race weekend/a race?
Yes, make sure to sleep and eat good before races. In addition, I often warm up before my races off track, with a jumping rope and BlazePod.
Would you like to try another category of motorsport ?
Maybe in the future but right now I would like to focus on racing.
What are your goals for your motorsport career ?
My goal is the be a F1 champion.
What is the race you dream to do ?
Monaco gp and maybe Indy 500
Is it difficult to be a woman in the world of motorsport nowadays ?
I have grown up in motorsport and that’s what I love to do. It is my passion. Some people might not like it just because I am a girl, but I couldn’t care less. I wouldn’t change motorsport for everything else, yet I think showing that there are women in motorsport is great. For instance, F1 academy and the fia girls on track programmes. That can show younger girls that they can do it, no matter what other people think.
Do you think it is improving?
Yes, with actually show that we have talented female drivers and perhaps helping them in their careers.
Do you have any advice for people who want to enter the world of motorsport?
Go for it! Practice a lot and try to get help and support from people who already know a bit. Then you can focus on your driving and improve for skills.