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SEVERINE HAMON: “MORE WOMEN SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO WORK IN MOTORSPORT”

07.03.2022

There’s a lot of science behind lubricants. In Motul’s R&D lab, Severine Hamon works as a chemist, perfecting the formulas of our legendary lubricant ranges. To mark International Women’s Day, we speak to Severine to find out what it means to be a woman working at the cutting edge of technical innovation.

SEVERINE HAMON: “MORE WOMEN SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO WORK IN MOTORSPORT”

What do you do?

I’m a chemist. I work in the R&D automotive laboratory. I’ve been working for Motul for almost 19 years. 

What do you do?

How did you get into it?

After my chemistry studies, I worked as a formulator in several fields such as explosives and inks. Motul was looking for chemists. I was interested in discovering a new area and I knew the brand. So I applied and was chosen.  

How did you get into it?

What does it mean to you to be a woman working in your sport/area?

I’ve been lucky to go to Motul events lately with the Motul Racing Lab and there I’ve felt that I was part of a minority. There are not many women racing, but there are a few and I hope to see more and more soon.

What does it mean to you to be a woman working in your sport/area?

What are some of the challenges you had to overcome to get to where you are now?

Since I didn’t know much about lubricants and motors, I’ve had to improve my knowledge to be professional enough to be taken seriously. But I would have done the same if I were a man or if I were entering a field I didn’t know.  

What are some of the challenges you had to overcome to get to where you are now?

How do you think the role of women has changed in motorsports/your field? Does more need to be done?

It’s great to see more women becoming involved in this area, but more always needs to be done to promote and encourage women to work in motorsport.

How do you think the role of women has changed in motorsports/your field? Does more need to be done?

What advice would you give to aspiring women wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Trust your instinct. Don’t limit yourself because of other people’s opinions and expectations of what a woman should do. All working fields should be open to all regardless of gender. 

What advice would you give to aspiring women wanting to follow in your footsteps?