“Racing has always been a part of my life.”
For Malaysian racing driver Adele Lew, the thrill of racing goes beyond mere sport; it’s a natural extension of who she is. Growing up, she looked up to her father, Eddie Lew, an accomplished racing veteran and Adele’s motorsport hero, with a triumphant history spanning over 30 years in the industry.
A trailblazer in a traditionally male-dominated arena, Adele embodies the essence of grit and determination. Particularly, when growing up in a racing family in Malaysia—where speed is a legacy—and her father by her side, who turned the racetrack into her playground.
As she dons her helmet and slides into the car, it’s safe to say that she channels years of dedication and precision. But her journey is not just about racing; it’s about shifting the narrative of resilience in the face of gender challenges. For Adele, racing is more than a sport. It’s a statement that talent knows no bounds and she’s here to prove that she can rewrite the rules of motorsports as we know them. We recently had a chat with Adele Lew about her inspiration and how she’s breaking barriers in motorsport.
BAZAAR’s exclusive interview with Adele Lew:
What inspired you to get into racing?
Racing has always been part of my life. My dad is a racing driver in Malaysia and has been in the motorsport industry for over 30 years. He’s still racing today, alongside me and my brother. Growing up around the track made racing feel natural—it wasn’t just a sport, it was family.
How do you prepare—physically and mentally—before a race?
Mentally, I close my eyes and visualise myself driving the car and flowing through the track. Visualisation helps drivers react faster and feel more prepared even before getting into the car. Physically, we spend a lot of time training on racing simulators and in the gym. Keeping the body active and strong is crucial for endurance, focus, and control.
Do you have a favourite song or artist that gets you in the zone?
I don’t have a specific artist, but oldies help me relax before driving. That said, most of the time I don’t listen to anything at all. Before a race, I’m hyper-focused—I avoid conversations and prefer to be alone to stay mentally sharp.
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What’s a skill you’ve developed that people outside motorsport might not realise is crucial?
Precision and reaction time. Every input matters, even the smallest movement can affect the outcome on track.
Have you ever had a moment where everything just clicked during a race?
Yes, we call it “flowing” on track. It’s when the car, your hands and your mind feel perfectly in sync. Everything feels smooth, calm and controlled—and that’s usually when we set our fastest lap times.
What’s the most memorable moment you’ve had on track?
Racing against my brother and my father on the same track. That’s something truly special and unforgettable.
What does a typical day in your life look like off the track?
Work, work and more work. Shoots, meetings, gym sessions, golf and good food—it’s always a full schedule.
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Is there something outsiders might not realise about being a professional driver?
We don’t actually drive fast on public roads. Also, motorsport isn’t just physically demanding—it’s mentally tough. We face criticism and negative comments quite often and learning how to absorb and move past that is part of the job.
What keeps you motivated when things get tough?
Pride and the drive to prove people wrong.
What does representation in motorsport mean to you?
Representation means showing that talent and dedication matter more than gender. If seeing someone like me on track encourages even one young girl to believe she belongs here, too, that already means everything.
What were the biggest barriers you faced entering the sport, and how did you overcome them?
Being the only female driver racing against 20 male drivers. But once the helmet is on, none of that matters. We don’t see gender—we just drive.
All images credited to Instagram/@adele.zy
