One of Mercedes-Benz's most famous ad campaigns is the one about lists. They stated that people love making lists in order to bring some order in an otherwise unpredictable world. And in every list, as the ad campaign goes, 'there is always a first'. And the first in the list of exclusive cars people want to buy, Mercedes-Benz always comes first.
Of course, the accuracy of such a bold statement is questionable. It is after all a commercial that intends to promote a specific brand.
However, the ad is still right about that fact that there is always a first on every list. And yes, in the history of motor racing, one person will be on top of a very exclusive list. That person is none other than Danica Patrick after being the first ever woman to win in Indy Car Racing.
Not too long ago, when a woman was able to earn a racing seat to drive for a team, it was already considered an achievement. There was always a case of "yeah, she's good, for a woman"
And indeed, many women pioneers in Racing, from Janet Guthrie in the IRL and Nascar to Lella Lombardi in Formula 1, have suffered from an innate bias. A bias that suggested a maximum limit for a woman driver: a limit that had lower standards than that expected of men. For as long as she qualified to compete amongst the best of men, that was already something to be proud of.
But with her victory in Twin Ring Motegi, Danica Patrick seemed to have broken that invisible barrier. No longer was a fourth place finish a "wow" moment. If a point was made during the Honda 300, it was the fact that Danica Patrick made her mark as a driver: a winning driver rather than a commendable 'female driver'.
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