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Nathalie McGloin presents F1 trophy at British GP 2018
 A
strong signal by MSA Chairman
David Richards CBE to nominate Nathalie McGloin, the only
female tetraplegic in the world to be racing cars, present the
third-place trophy to Kimi Raikkonen, which he warmly received.
According to
long-established protocol, the Chairman or President of the host
National Sporting Authority (ASN) presents the trophy for the final
podium place after each Grand Prix. After assuming the role in January
2018, this year’s British Grand Prix was due to be
Richards’ first time performing this duty, however instead he has
elected to invite McGloin to present the trophy. Nathalie is President
of the FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission and a consultant to
the MSA in respect of disability in motorsport.
In order to
allow access to the podium Silverstone has installed a permanent lift,
which will ensure all disabled competitors will be able to visit the
Grand Prix podium in future, something that has not been possible until
now.
In
2017 Nathalie was appointed the inaugural President of the new FIA
Disability and Accessibility Commission by Jean Todt. In her new role
Nathalie aims to promote the inclusive nature of Motorsport as The
Commission works to continue to ensure the global safe participation of
disabled competitors in Motorsport.
 Nathalie
is an ambassador for Dare to be Different. Founded by Susie Wolff and
funded by the Motor Sports Association (MSA), this initiative aims to
inspire, connect, showcase and develop female talent in male-dominated
environments such as motorsport.
Nathalie is a friend of the spinal injuries charity Wings for Life and speaks at events as their representative.
 She
co-founded the charity Spinal Track, enabling disabled drivers to enjoy
track day experiences at Silverstone in a hand-controlled Golf
GTI. Participants don’t have to pay a penny because the entire
cost is covered by charitable donations. The charity is supported by
Williams F1, and Claire Williams OBE attended the launch.
Richards said: “We’re committed to promoting
the unique opportunity that motorsport presents for people of all
backgrounds, whether male or female and able bodied or disabled, to
compete together on a level playing field. On behalf of the MSA,
I’m pleased to take this opportunity to demonstrate my personal
commitment to inclusivity, and would like to thank both the FIA and
Silverstone for their support in making this possible, not just in
raising awareness of the accessibility of our sport but in providing a
lasting legacy at the circuit.”
McGloin said: “The
MSA has supported me brilliantly in my new role as President of the FIA
Disability and Accessibility Commission, and now for David to gift me
this opportunity is humbling beyond words. For the Chairman of the
British ASN to make this gesture reinforces the message, to a global
audience, that this is a sport for all and in this respect the UK leads
the way. The sense of pride I’m feeling is enormous, although
I’m slightly worried about getting soaked in champagne!”
McGloin,
aged 35 from Towcester, was involved in a road traffic accident aged 16
and has since been a wheelchair user. She first got on track in 2015
with Mission Motorsport, and now competes in the Porsche Club
Championship. McGloin helps others with disabilities get behind the
wheel through Spinal Track, a charity she runs with her partner, Andrew
Bayliss. She is also an ambassador for Dare To Be Different.
Nathalie races in the Porsche Club Championship.
This is top-level club racing and is a highly competitive series.
Nathalie races a Porsche Cayman S on slicks in class one. Her
championship includes seven race meets with two races per weekend. She
races at all the major national circuits including the revered GP
circuits of Silverstone and Brands Hatch. On race days, you’ll find her
in her open-house garage where you are welcome to meet her, look at her
car and control set-up, and take photos.
Nathalie in her Porsche Cayman | 
Billy Monger |
Read more about these amazing athletes Nathalie McGloin Billy Monger
| Updated 10 July 2018
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