SEPANG, April 26 — Precision, poise, and quiet determination defined Genevieve Henrietta Ooi’s performance at the Malaysia Touring Car Championship (MTCC) 2026, held at the iconic PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit.
Competing as the sole female driver in the M-Touring 2-V (MT2-V) category, the 20-year-old Sarawakian is quickly carving out her place in Malaysia’s motorsports landscape — and turning heads while doing it.
What makes Genevieve’s rise particularly compelling is how it all began: not on track, but behind a simulator.
Her raw ability in sim racing caught the attention of former Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong, who helped open the door to real-world competition.
“When I started racing on simulators, I realised I had talent in this sport. From there, I began getting noticed, and eventually, I was given the opportunity to step into real racing. I’m incredibly grateful,” she shared.
Now balancing life as an Accounting and Financial Business student at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Genevieve represents a new generation of drivers — digitally native, academically grounded, and fiercely ambitious.
Her transition to professional racing accelerated when she was selected for Toyota’s Young Talent Development Programme in the rookie category — a pivotal moment that validated her potential and provided a structured pathway into competitive motorsport.
Fuelled by sponsorship support last season, she continues to build momentum both on and off the track.
But beyond lap times and race results, Genevieve is driven by something bigger.
“My dream is to become the best driver I can be, while breaking gender stereotypes and pushing my limits.”
“I chose to be brave and step out of my comfort zone.”
“I want to be like Barbie — feminine, but also an engineer, a racing driver, and a mechanic.”
That mindset translated into a strong showing at Sepang, where she finished seventh in Race 1 before improving to fifth in Race 2 — a clear indication of her adaptability and racecraft under pressure.
Looking ahead, Genevieve is set to represent Sarawak at SUKMA 2026 in the e-racing category, where she will also serve as team captain — with her sights firmly set on delivering gold for the Land of the Hornbills.
In a sport where barriers still exist, Genevieve Ooi isn’t just participating — she’s redefining what’s possible.
