1/2 Stéphane Kox the 2012 Lotus E20 that she tested for Alpine (photo: VAT Alpine F1 Team).
Stéphane Kox (29) from Eindhoven saw her dream come true on Wednesday. The driver and former Viaplay pit reporter was allowed to test an Alpine Formula 1 car on the French Paul Ricard circuit. She won the test last year by becoming champion in a karting competition with Formula 1 journalists. Stéphane is still on cloud nine a day later. “You know what to expect and yet all those expectations are exceeded.”
For many motorsport enthusiasts and drivers, it is the ultimate dream: driving a Formula 1 car. That dream came true for Stéphane Kox on Wednesday. She is still in disbelief, but has slept wonderfully. “Better than the night before, because I was quite tense for the test. This is the ultimate for every driver.” Kox is certainly not inexperienced, she previously drove GT, endurance and Formula 3 cars.
“Very special to be the first Dutch woman in a Formula 1 car.”
During her year as a pit reporter for streaming service Viaplay, she won a karting competition for Formula 1 journalists. With this she also achieved a first. “I am the first Dutch woman to drive a Formula 1 car, very special.” Brabant only has two F1 drivers: Roeloef Wunderink and Christijan Albers, both also from Eindhoven.
Kox did two runs of three rounds. “That’s not enough time to really get to know the car,” she has to admit. “Still, I went a lot faster in the second run. Fast lap times were not the goal, but as a driver you still become fanatic,” she says, laughing.
“Never do anything that comes close to this again.”
Her test in Alpine’s 2012 winning car was everything she hoped for and more. “The acceleration, the braking, the downforce that makes you go incredibly fast through the corner. I will never do anything that comes close to this in my life.” Stéphane enjoyed it immensely, but had to stay focused. “Just keeping the car on the track, operating the steering wheel and just driving away is so difficult.”
Stéphane did not receive extensive preparation. “I came to the track on Tuesday and on Wednesday it was: here’s the gas pedal, there’s the brake pedal, this is how you operate the clutch and good luck with it. “But once on the track it was pure sensation. “That sound of that old V8 engine behind you and the speed is so intense.”
“I have gained even more respect for the drivers.”
Before she got into the F1 car, she first drove a slower Formula 4 car to get used to it. “But that Formula 1 car is really from another planet. It cannot be compared. I have gained even more respect for the drivers.” It is now time to switch gears again for Stéphane. “Back to reality and studying, but this will stay with me forever.”
The test at Alpine has given Stéphane the itch to race at a high level again. “It’s really a battle between my racing passion and my law degree.” At the same time she is realistic. “I used to have no chance of competing in Formula 1 as a woman and now I’m too old, but maybe one day I will get a chance to drive the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I once drove a car like that and I wanted more.” .”
READ ALSO: Finally a woman in Formula 1, Eindhoven’s Stéphane Kox wins test at Alpine
