Natasha Seatter will make a full return to racing this year.
The 28-year-old ‘retired’ seven years ago but competed in two Malaysian Championship Series races (MCS) and Sepang 1,000km Endurance Race last year with BHP Petrol Racing Team.
“We are sorting out the details, but a ‘big’ announcement will be made soon,” said Seatter, who created history as the first woman driver to win a race in the Middle East in 2012.
“What is confirmed is that it will be an all-women’s team. I will partner Nurul Husna Nasharuddin. So, it will be a dynamic lady duo team!”
It would be a welcome return to the track for Seatter, who has an impressive record as a racer.
Before her retirement, she competed in 68 races, winning 11 and had 20 podium finishes. She also recorded nine fastest laps and one pole position.
Her proudest moment was winning back-to-back races at the Yas Marina Circuit, home of the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, in the Formula Gulf 1000 in December 2012 – making her the first female to win a race in that region.
But she packed it in soon after, a decision she regrets.
“I took some time off to try to find myself. Motorsports has always been my passion, and I did miss it a heck of a lot,” said Seatter, who had two podium finishes in MCS.
“I started selling my racing equipment, and karts. Part of me died! I had no plans to return to racing so it felt sensible to get rid of them.
“However, a friend told me ‘rugilah’ (big loss) you have been doing it for so long (18 years) to give it up like that.
“That sparked something in me. I decided to get back into a fitness routine as since giving up racing, I have been doing lots of eating!
“So, in 2020 and 2021, I started working out more and began to lose weight.
“I also did lots of networking as I wanted to see how I could turn my branding into a business that ties in with motorsports.”
Seatter dabbled in property, FinTech, sales and car sales during her hiatus.
“Anything and everything to fill up the time,” said the Miri-born driver.
“But nothing gave me a thrill like racing. I went to my first track day early last year, and that was where I met with the people from BHP Petrol Racing Team.
“We talked, and they asked me to compete in the Viper Niza Six-hour Endurance Karting Event in Johor Bahru at the end of October.
“After that, they asked if I had experience with a front-wheel drive car with a manual gearbox and asked if I wanted to jump into the first round of MCS in the MTC (Malaysian Touring Car) Category.”
Without any testing, Seatter signed up for the event and finished second and third in her two races.
Those results convinced her she still had the drive to be successful, and 2022 could be the year Seatter returns to her winning ways.
