SA Racer Emma-Rose Dowling Admits Weekend Struggles After Round 5 in Instagram Post

• Emma-Rose Dowling, 15, opened up on Instagram about struggling with pace during round five of her racing season this month
• The South African teen said she stayed focused and pushed through a frustrating weekend on the track
• Dowling made history this year as the first South African girl chosen for the F1 Academy program

South African motorsport prodigy Emma-Rose Dowling, 15, shared an honest update on Instagram on 17 August 2026 about a tough race weekend on the track. The teen driver posted the update after competing in round five of her 2026 season, admitting the weekend was one of their toughest yet.

Her team battled with pace early in the sessions before slowly finding their rhythm again as the weekend progressed. Dowling said she stayed focused and pushed through until the very end, despite the frustration. Two races remain on the calendar, and she is eager to finish the season strong.

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Racing runs in the family

Dowling was introduced to motorsport at just nine years old through her family. She grew up watching her grandfather, father and uncles race before she ever competed herself. The sights, sounds and excitement of the track hooked her from her very first visit. Competing against top young drivers worldwide only strengthened her love for the sport, and she now dreams of becoming a professional Formula One driver one day.

Earlier in 2026, Dowling made history for South African motorsport fans everywhere. She became the first South African girl chosen for the F1 Academy Discover Your Drive Programme. Dowling balances her racing career with schoolwork at St Dunstan’s back home in South Africa. International travel means long flights, late nights and studying between airports and hotels.

During an earlier interview with Briefly News, she said that the demanding schedule has taught her discipline, resilience and time management. Competing in a male-dominated sport also pushed her to work even harder for recognition.

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Emma-Rose Dowling is also among the inspiring women featured in Briefly News’ Women of Wonder 2026: Steering the Story in SA Motoring, a project celebrating the remarkable stories, achievements, and contributions of women shaping Mzansi’s motoring industry.

See the Instagram post below:

3 More Women of Wonder 2026 stories

• At 17 years old, Johannesburg motorsport prodigy Chloe Stuart is smashing 50-year-old racing records and funding her own track ambitions by running two successful businesses.
• KwaZulu-Natal drag racer Razia Cassim overcame fear and gender barriers to establish herself as a prominent figure in South African motorsport, while promoting local racing events.
• Johannesburg car spinner and stunt driver Stacey-Lee May overcame childhood bullying to become a premier motorsport athlete representing Monster Energy on international stages.

Source: Briefly News