Pippa Mann

Pippa Mann is a British racing driver who is most known for her occasional participations in the IndyCar Series from 2011 onwards. Before debuting in the major American open-wheel competition, Pippa made her way through several single-seater championships (Formula Renault 2.0, Formula Renault 3.5, Indy Lights) and Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

Pippa Mann

Four seasons in the Formula Renault 2.0

Pippa Mann was born on August 11, 1983, in London. After she spent few years in the karting competitions, Pippa progressed to the British Formula Renault 2.0 Championship in 2003. She debuted in the Winter Series with Manor Motorsport and then signed for Team JVA to drive a full season in 2004.

In 2005, Pippa competed both in the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup and Formula Renault 2.0 France, driving for Comtec Racing. One more season with the same team followed in 2006. This time, she contested in the Eurocup and the British Formula Renault.

Pippa and her fans

Two seasons in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series

After four seasons in the Formula Renault 2.0, Pippa progressed to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2007, joining Cram Competition. She scored one single point in the season-opening race at Monza, finishing 27th in the final standings. For the 2008 FR 3.5 Series season, Pippa moved to P1 Motorsport and slightly improved her results. She was 10th at Monza and 7th at Nurburgring, finishing 25th in the championship.

In 2008, Pippa also spent a part of the season with the Eurotech Racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain. She participated in six races to score points for the 17th place at the end.

Moving to America in 2009

In 2009, Pippa moved her career to the North America, entering the Indy Lights series, the development series for IndyCar. She was driving the #16 car for Panther Racing alongside fellow British driver Martin Plowman as her teammate.

In fifteen races, Pippa recorded three Top 10 results, finishing 14th in the final standings. Her best result was 8th place in the season's finale at Homestead-Miami.

Pippa and the team in the Victory Lane of Kentucky Speedway

Victory in the 2010 Indy Lights season

Panther Racing closed its Indy Lights team so Pippa had to find another team for 2010. She joined Sam Schmidt Motorsports to drive the #11 car. At Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Freedom 100 she became the first female driver to take pole position for the race.

After finishing second at Chicagoland Speedway, she recorded even better result in the penultimate round at Kentucky Speedway. She won the race and scored her first victory in a career. At the end of the season, she was fifth in the points.

Pippa made her IndyCar debut at 2011 Indianapolis 500

Indianapolis 500 debut in 2011

The season 2010 was Pippa's last full season in some competition. Since 2011, when she debuted in the IndyCar Series, she was just occasionally competing in the American premier open-wheel division.

He made a debut in the IndyCar Series in the greatest race, the Indianapolis 500. She was driving the #36 car for Conquest Racing, becoming the first ever British female driver to qualify for the 500-mile race. She started 32nd on the grid and finished 20th.

Pippa was involved to Dan Wheldon's fatal crash

Later in the season, Pippa joined RLL Racing to drive the #30 Dallara-Honda. She crashed out during a practice at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and didn't start the race. She returned to racing in the Kentucky Indy 300, finishing 22nd.

The next race was the season's finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Pippa was involved in a 15-car wreck and she sustained severe burns. She was transported to a hospital, together with few more drivers, including Dan Wheldon who died from injuries.

Pippa Mann in 2013

One-off Auto GP attempt in 2012, return to Indy in 2013

In 2012, Mann missed out IndyCar Series but participated in a couple of races of the Auto GP World Series. She was driving the #7 car for Campos Racing in the season's finale at Sonoma Raceway, finishing ninth in the first race and eighth in the second race.

For the 2013 season, Pippa signed for Dale Coyne Racing to compete at Indianapolis 500 and three more oval races (Texas, Pocono, Fontana). At Indianapolis 500, she completed just 46 of 200 laps. Her best result was 15th place at Pocono IndyCar 400.

Pippa Mann in 2015

Six races in the 2015 IndyCar season

In 2014, Pippa returned to racing at Indianapolis 500 only. She was driving the #63 Honda for Dale Coyne Racing to 24th-place finish. For 2015, Mann expanded his programme to six races, including Indianapolis 500.

She finished 22nd in the greatest American race driving the #63 Honda. Later in the season, she moved to #18 Honda, participating in five more races (Texas, Fontana, Milwaukee Mile, Iowa and Pocono). Her best result was 13th place at Fontana and Pocono, what remained her best result in the IndyCar career.

Pippa Mann at 2017 Indianapolis 500

Career-best Indy 500 result in 2019

Pippa Mann returned to Indianapolis 500 two more times in 2016 and 2017, driving for Dale Coyne Racing on both occasions. In 2016, she reached the finish line in the 18th place, improving his best Indy 500 result. One more improvement followed in 2017 when she saw the checkered flag as a 17th-placed driver in the field. A year later, he failed to qualify for the 2018 Indianapolis 500 with Dale Coyne Racing.

At Indianapolis 500, Pippa Mann mostly competed in partnership with Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, collecting money to support a fight against breast cancer. In 2016, Pippa was named by Autocar as one of the top 100 British Women in the Car Industry.

In 2019, Pippa successfully qualified for Indianapolis 500 with Clauson-Marshall Racing. Driving the #39 Chevrolet, she improved his career-best result again, finishing in the 16th place.

In 2017, Pippa competed in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series

Photos: pippamann.com,