Jaguar F-Type and female racer Aseel Al Hamad celebrate Saudi Women Driving

To celebrate the lifting of the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia, Saudi female racing driver Aseel Al Hamad laps a track in her own country in a Jaguar F-Type on World Driving Day.

There was just one country in the world where women were not allowed to drive, and that was Saudi Arabia. But as the Saudi’s look to enter the 21st century (or perhaps the 20th century) that ban has been lifted, and Jaguar has taken the opportunity to celebrate the landmark.

On a day – 24 June – Jaguar now want to be World Driving Day (#WorldDrivingDay), female racing driver Aseel Al Hamd – who has never been able to drive in her home country before – got behind the wheel of a Jaguar F-Type on track to celebrate the momentous change.

Aseel is the first female board member of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, but until now had never been able to drive, even on track, in her home country. She said:

Having loved cars since I was a child, today is highly emotional for me. This is the best driving moment of my life. What better way to kick off World Driving Day than a lap of honour in my home country in a Jaguar F-TYPE – the ultimate car to roar around the track. I hope people around the world will share in our joy today by sharing their most memorable driving story using #worlddrivingday.

Jaguar want this historic day to henceforth be know as World Driving Day, to remember how historic the day when women can finally drive in any country in the world is, and are asking people to share their joy of driving photos or images online using the #worlddrivingday.

JLR Director Fiona Pargeter said:

It’s easy to forget and take for granted the enjoyment of driving and just what a privilege it is to get behind the wheel of a car. World Driving Day is a commitment from Jaguar to celebrate this key moment annually for both men and women. This year, we’re really excited to collaborate with the brilliant students from Saudi Arabia to shape the future of mobility for people around the world.

Already working with more than 40 universities and Academic Institutions around the world on future mobility stuff, Jaguar are now going to be adding University of Saudi Arabia to its list of collaborators as it taps in to the brightest young minds in the Kingdom to map out an Autonomous, Connected, Electrified and Shared future.

Jaguar and Aseel Al Hamad Saudi Arabia Women Drive Video