Lilou Wadoux

Though her father Cédric was briefly a rally driver, Wadoux spent her youth competing in tennis. She only started karting, mostly for fun, at the late age of 14.{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsinside.com/wec/actualite/27516-lilou-wadoux-ascension-express.html|title=Lilou Wadoux, ascension express|website=Motors Inside|language=fr|date=2022-06-09|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://paddocksorority.com/2022/04/05/learning-step-by-step-interview-with-lilou-wadoux/|title=Learning Step by Step – Interview with Lilou Wadoux|website=Paddock Sorority|date=2022-04-05|access-date=2022-07-01}} Aided by fellow Amiens racing drivers Julien and Florian Briché, she made the jump to competitive circuit racing two years later, in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.somme.fr/webzine/ves-116/index.php/anciens-numeros/42-portrait-lilou-wadoux.html|title=Lilou fait fondre l'asphalte|website=Conseil départemental de la Somme|language=fr|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.courrier-picard.fr/id128730/article/2020-09-27/lilou-wadoux-de-fresnoy-au-val-pilote-depuis-ses-14-ans|title=Lilou Wadoux, de Fresnoy-au-Val, pilote depuis ses 14 ans|website=Courrier Picard|language=fr|url-access=subscription|date=2020-09-27|access-date=2022-07-01}} Starting out in the French lower-division one-make saloon car championships, Wadoux encountered success from early on, with an 8th place (runner-up in the junior class) in the Peugeot 208 Racing Cup followed by 3rd overall the following year.{{cite web|url=https://www.rtl.fr/sport/autres-sports/video-lilou-wadoux-17-ans-grand-espoir-du-sport-automobile-7795312354|title=VIDÉO - Lilou Wadoux, 17 ans, grand espoir du sport automobile|website=RTL|language=fr|date=2018-10-24|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://franceracing.fr/non-classe/rencontres-peugeot-sport-lilou-wadoux-encore-plus-haut/|title=Rencontres Peugeot Sport : Lilou Wadoux, encore plus haut !|website=FranceRacing.fr|date=17 May 2018 |language=fr|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://watchilove.com/milesi-ogier-wadoux-richard-mille-racing-team|title=Milesi, Ogier, Wadoux: Richard Mille Racing Team|website=watchilove.com|date=2022-02-01|access-date=2022-07-01}} Her 2018 season also included four top-ten finishes from four guest starts in the superior Peugeot 308 Racing Cup, as well as an appearance in a two-day test organised by the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission in Navarra for 15 female racers.{{cite web|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/es/motorsport/a55446/quien-es-quien-en-el-test-femenino-de-la-fia/|title=Quién es quién en el test femenino de la FIA|website=Car and Driver|language=es|date=2018-09-18|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fiawec.com/en/news/2022-wec-newbies-go-for-it/7309|title=2022 WEC Newbies Go for It!|website=FIA WEC|date=2022-04-06|access-date=2022-07-01}}

2019 would see Wadoux make the step up to the TCR Europe Touring Car Series with a Peugeot 308 TCR from Briché's JSB Compétition team. However, her season was cut short due to a crash in the third round of the season at Spa-Francorchamps. She was hit by Qatari driver Abdullah Ali Al Khelaifi, who had lost control of his Cupra León TCR after an off at turn 16, and her car rolled several times before it finally came to a stop.{{cite web|url=https://www.touringcartimes.com/2019/06/10/lilou-wadoux-lucky-avoid-serious-injury-race-1-crash-spa/|title=Lilou Wadoux "lucky" to avoid serious injury after Race 1 crash at Spa|website=Touring Car Times|last=Brunsdon|first=Stephen|date=2019-06-10|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dicila.media/blog/culture/lilou-wadoux-dure-au-mal-et-au-male.html|title=Lilou Wadoux, dure au mal et au mâle|website=Dicilà|language=fr|access-date=2022-07-01}} She was unharmed, but the financial difficulties following the crash meant she was not able to return to the championship.{{cite web|url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/hauts-de-france/somme/amiens/lilou-wadoux-jeune-espoir-du-sport-automobile-francais-recherche-financements-apres-son-accident-1693542.html|title=Lilou Wadoux, jeune espoir amiénoise du sport automobile, à la recherche de financements après son accident|website=France Info|language=fr|last=Granger|first=Boris|date=2019-07-01|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lafleministe.fr/2022/03/17/lilou-wadoux-future-grande-pilote-francaise/|title=Lilou Wadoux, future grande pilote française ?|website=La Fléministe|language=fr|access-date=2022-07-01}} She returned to racing in October that year, with a one-off appearance in the Clio Cup France at Circuit Paul Ricard that yielded a podium finish.{{cite web|url=https://www.m4wofficial.com/pair-of-green-sneakers-style-mistake-or-victory/|title=Lilou WADOUX, née avec un volant !|website=M4Wofficial.com|language=fr|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amiens.fr/Actualites/300-chevaux-AU-VENT|title=300 chevaux AU VENT|website=Amiens Métropole|language=fr|date=2021-03-10|access-date=2022-07-01}}

In 2020, Wadoux switched to the one-make Alpine Elf Europa Cup, driving an Alpine A110 for Autosport GP.{{cite web|url=https://gazettesports.fr/2020/11/23/auto-lilou-wadoux-et-adeline-lourenco-lune-au-volant-et-lautre-a-la-data-performance/|title=AUTO : Lilou Wadoux et Adeline Lourenço, l'une au volant et l'autre à la data-performance|website=Gazette Sports|language=fr|date=2020-11-23|access-date=2022-07-01}} She had a consistent debut season, finishing all ten races in the top ten with eight junior podiums, but had to settle for 7th in the overall standings.{{cite web|url=http://speedqueens.blogspot.com/2021/10/lilou-wadoux.html|title=Lilou Wadoux|website=Speedqueens|date=2021-10-02|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://gazettesports.fr/2020/12/07/auto-avec-son-alpine-lilou-wadoux-impressionne-encore-en-ultimate-au-castellet/|title=AUTO : Avec son Alpine, Lilou Wadoux impressionne encore, en Ultimate au Castellet|website=Gazette Sports|language=fr|date=2020-12-07|access-date=2022-07-01}}

2021 would prove to be Wadoux's breakthrough year.{{cite web|url=https://lookcharms.com/lilou-wadoux-always-a-little-more-in-history/|title=Lilou Wadoux always a little more in history|website=lookcharms.com|date=2022-06-09|access-date=2022-07-01}} Continuing in the Alpine Elf Europa Cup with Autosport GP, she finished eight of the 12 races on the overall podium and was part of a three-way title fight with reigning champion Jean-Baptiste Mela and single-seater graduate Ugo de Wilde that went down to the wire.{{cite web|url=https://gazettesports.fr/2021/09/02/auto-je-sais-que-je-peux-aller-chercher-le-titre-en-alpine-elf-europa-cup-affirme-lilou-wadoux/|title=AUTO : " Je sais que je peux aller chercher le titre en Alpine Elf Europa Cup ! " affirme Lilou Wadoux|website=Gazette Sports|language=fr|date=2021-09-02|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/24-heures-du-mans/24-heures-du-mans-lilou-wadoux-l-ascension-supersonique-13892098-e595-11ec-a95b-8624ebac14d3|title=24 Heures du Mans. Lilou Wadoux, l'ascension supersonique|website=Ouest-France|language=fr|last=De Azevedo|first=Alexis|url-access=subscription|date=2022-06-08|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://gazettesports.fr/2021/10/02/auto-lilou-wadoux-jai-deja-pas-mal-prouve-en-alpine/|title=AUTO : Lilou Wadoux " J'ai déjà pas mal prouvé " en Alpine|website=Gazette Sports|language=fr|date=2021-10-02|access-date=2022-07-01}} She won one race at the season finale in Portimão and eventually finished third overall, second in the junior standings.{{cite web|url=https://www.racers-behindthehelmet.com/post/lilou-wadoux-wins-first-race-in-alpine-europa-cup-rdest-ends-season-with-double-p6|title=Lilou Wadoux wins first race in Alpine Europa Cup, Rdest ends season with double P6|website=Racers - Behind the Helmet|date=2021-10-26|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rtl.fr/sport/autres-sports/24-heures-du-mans-lilou-wadoux-toujours-un-peu-plus-dans-l-histoire-7900162318|title=24 Heures du Mans : Lilou Wadoux toujours un peu plus dans l'histoire|website=RTL|language=fr|date=2022-06-09|access-date=2022-07-01}}

A highlight of Wadoux's 2021 season came at the Circuit de la Sarthe in August. Racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans-supporting round of the Porsche Sprint Challenge France, in a car and circuit she was new to, Wadoux set pole position by a full three seconds and dominated the race from lights to flag.{{cite web|url=https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/porsche-sprint-challenge-france-victory-for-lilou-wadoux-55511|title=Porsche Sprint Challenge France – Victory for Lilou Wadoux!|website=24 Hours of Le Mans|date=2021-08-21|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://gazettesports.fr/2021/08/21/auto-lilou-wadoux-sur-la-plus-haute-marche-en-porsche/|title=AUTO : Lilou Wadoux sur la plus haute marche en Porsche !|website=Gazette Sports|language=fr|date=2021-08-21|access-date=2022-07-01}}

File:2022 24 Hours of Le Mans (52176033579).png in 2022.]]

In November 2021, Wadoux, as well as W Series drivers Jamie Chadwick and Alice Powell, was invited by the all-female LMP2 Richard Mille Racing Team to take part in the post-season FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test at Bahrain.{{cite web|url=https://www.ffsa.org/Pages/Actus/2021/Lilou-Wadoux-aux-tests-WEC-a-Bahrein.aspx|title=Lilou Wadoux aux tests WEC à Bahreïn|website=FFSA|language=fr|date=2021-11-09|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://lemans.maville.com/sport/detail_-endurance.-trois-jeunes-femmes-vont-tester-l-oreca-du-richard-mille-racing-_52734-4906885_actu.Htm|title=Endurance. Trois jeunes femmes vont tester l'Oreca du Richard Mille Racing|website=Maville|language=fr|date=2021-11-01|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.racers-behindthehelmet.com/post/lilou-wadoux-joins-powell-chadwick-in-wec-rookie-test|title=Lilou Wadoux joins Powell, Chadwick in WEC rookie test|website=Racers - Behind the Helmet|date=2021-10-27|access-date=2022-07-01}} She was hired for the 2022 season as part of the team's switch to a mixed lineup, alongside ELMS champion Charles Milesi and eight-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier.{{cite web|url=https://www.endurance-info.com/auto/article/100663-lilou-wadoux-richard-mille-racing-lendurance-mattire-pour-lesprit-dequipe|title=Lilou Wadoux (Richard Mille Racing): "Endurance attracts me for the team spirit"|website=Endurance-Info.com|date=2022-02-01|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/24-hours-of-le-mans-lilou-wadoux-it-s-a-great-idea-to-have-a-mixed-team-56067|title=24 Hours of Le Mans - Lilou Wadoux: "It's a great idea to have a mixed team"|website=24 Hours of Le Mans|date=2022-03-08|access-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/24-heures-du-mans/24-heures-du-mans-lilou-wadoux-un-ovni-en-apprentissage-avec-le-richard-mille-racing-89a28268-8755-11ec-bf1f-1ae6698675cd|title=24 Heures du Mans. Lilou Wadoux, " un ovni " en apprentissage avec le Richard Mille Racing|website=Ouest-France|language=fr|date=2022-02-07|access-date=2022-07-01}} The trio completed the opening three rounds of the season together, ending with sixth place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, before experienced LMP2 racer Paul-Loup Chatin took over from Ogier – Chatin serving as a mentor for Wadoux.{{cite web|url=https://www.fiawec.com/fr/news/richard-mille-racing-team-questions-contre-la-montre-pour-un-trio/7491|title=Richard Mille Racing Team: "Time trial" questions for a trio|website=FIA World Endurance Championship|last=Vateoni|first=Catherine|date=2022-11-06|access-date=2023-01-16}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/24-heures-du-mans/oreca/endurance-daytona-idec-programme-charge-pour-paul-loup-chatin-254d5d98-9590-11ed-9400-7aba786c7303|title=Endurance. Daytona, IDEC... Programme chargé pour Paul-Loup Chatin|website=Ouest-France|language=fr|url-access=subscription|date=2023-01-16|access-date=2023-01-16}} At the fourth round in Monza, the trio were running in third place with just over two hours to go when Chatin and Robert Kubica collided at the first corner, sending Chatin into a spin and damaging the gearbox.{{cite web|url=https://gazettesports.fr/2022/07/10/auto-lmp2-lilou-wadoux-pas-vernie-a-monza/|title=AUTO – LMP2 : Lilou Wadoux pas vernie à Monza|website=Gazette Sports|language=fr|last=Delorme|first=Vincent|date=2022-07-10|access-date=2023-01-16}} After eighth place in the final two events at Fuji and Bahrain, Wadoux and Milesi finished 12th in the standings with 30 points.

In late 2022, Wadoux was named as one of four drivers to be invited by the WEC to take part in the post-season rookie test at Bahrain. She drove Toyota's title-winning Hypercar and thus became the first woman to drive a top-class prototype since Vanina Ickx in 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/fia-wec-bahrain-official-rookie-test-drivers-named-56615|title=FIA WEC – Bahrain official rookie test drivers named|website=24 Hours of Le Mans|date=2022-09-16|access-date=2022-11-10}}{{cite web|url=https://www.racers-behindthehelmet.com/post/lilou-wadoux-from-alpine-cup-to-hypercar-test-in-one-year|title=Lilou Wadoux: from Alpine Cup to Hypercar test in one year|website=Racers - Behind the Helmet|date=2022-11-16|access-date=2023-01-16}}

File:2023 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE Evo No.83 (DSC01006).jpg.]]

In 2023, the Frenchwoman signed as Ferrari's first-ever female factory driver, competing for AF Corse in the GTE Am category alongside bronze-rated Luis Pérez Companc and fellow factory driver Alessio Rovera.{{cite web|url=https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/competizioni-gt/articles/lilou-wadoux-first-female-ferrari-competizioni-gt-driver|title=Lilou Wadoux, first female Ferrari Competizioni GT driver|website=Ferrari|date=2023-01-16|access-date=2023-01-16}}{{Cite web |title=Lilou Wadoux Named As First Ever Female Ferrari Factory GT Driver |website=Dailysportscar |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/01/16/lilou-wadoux-named-as-first-ever-female-ferrari-factiry-gt-driver.html |date=2023-01-16 |access-date=2023-01-16 |last=Goodwin |first=Graham}} The campaign started out in disappointing fashion, as teammate Companc crashed spectacularly in the opening laps of the 1000 Miles of Sebring, forcing the team to retire.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-17 |title=Toyotas lead at Sebring after first hour after big crash for GTE Ferrari |url=https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/03/17/toyotas-lead-at-sebring-after-first-hour-after-big-crash-for-gte-ferrari/ |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=Motorsport Week |language=en-GB}} The team bounced back to finish a close second at the 2023 6 Hours of Portimão, before winning the following race at Spa-Francorchamps – Wadoux becoming the first female race winner in the WEC in any class.{{Cite web |last=Euwema |first=Davey |title=Rovera Was "Struggling With Traction" in Catsburg Battle |url=https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/rovera-not-completely-happy-losing-hard-fought-gte-am-battle/ |date=2023-04-16 |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=Sportscar365 |publisher=John Dagys Media |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-16 |title=Automobile. 6 Heures de Portimao: Lilou Wadoux s'offre un premier podium |url=https://www.courrier-picard.fr/id406456/article/2023-04-16/automobile-6-heures-de-portimao-lilou-wadoux-termine-deuxieme-de-sa-categorie |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=Courrier picard |language=fr}}{{cite web|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a43746311/lilou-wadoux-becomes-the-first-woman-to-win-an-fia-wec-race/|title=Lilou Wadoux Becomes the First Woman To Win an FIA WEC Race|website=Road & Track|last=Smith|first=Fred|date=29 April 2023|access-date=7 March 2024}} The trio eventually finished eighth in the standings after a run of bad fortune in the final few races. In November, Wadoux featured at the Bahrain test again, this time driving Ferrari's Le Mans-winning 499P Hypercar.{{cite web|url=https://www.goodwood.com/grr/race/modern/2023/11/lilou-wadoux-to-drive-the-le-mans-winning-ferrari-499p/|title=Lilou Wadoux to drive the Le Mans‑winning Ferrari 499P|website=Goodwood Festival of Speed|last=Ostler|first=Simon|date=2 November 2023|access-date=7 March 2024}} She placed third out of the 18 drivers, only behind Robert Shwartzman and Norman Nato.{{cite web|url=http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/12_2023/07_BAHRAIN%20INTERNATIONAL%20CIRCUIT/515_FIA%20WEC%20-%20ROOKIE%20TEST/202311051300_Afternoon%20session/07_FastestLapByDriver_Afternoon%20session.PDF|title=FIA WEC - Rookie Test - Afternoon session - Classification by Driver Fastest Lap|website=Al Kamel Systems|date=6 November 2023|access-date=7 March 2024}}

Wadoux embarked on a new challenge in 2024 as she moved to the Japanese Super GT series. She raced with the GAINER-run PONOS Racing squad, sharing a Ferrari 296 GT3 in the GT300 class with veteran Kei Cozzolino.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/11/30/ponos-racing-introduces-296-gt3-to-gt300-with-cozzolino-wadoux.html|title=PONOS Racing Introduces 296 GT3 To GT300 With Cozzolino & Wadoux|website=Dailysportscar|last=O'Connell|first=RJ|date=30 November 2023|access-date=7 March 2024}}

Wadoux then left the team with mutual agreement just days before the start of the first 2025 race.{{cite news|url=https://sportscar365.com/other-series/super-gt/ponos-racing-parts-ways-with-wadoux/|title=PONOS Racing Parts Ways With Wadoux|website=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|last=Klein|first=Jamie|date=8 April 2025|access-date=8 April 2025}}

In parallel, she would compete in the endurance rounds of the IMSA SportsCar Championship in LMP2 with AF Corse, partnering Nicklas Nielsen and 2023 teammate Pérez Companc.{{cite web |last=Euwema |first=Davey |date=November 14, 2023 |title=Capacity Rolex 24 Entry List Released |url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/capacity-rolex-24-entry-list-released/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |work=sportscar365.com |publisher=John Dagys Media}} After two races where the team encountered trouble, Wadoux contributed towards her first win in the category at Watkins Glen, taking the car from third place to the lead during her stint and being praised by Le Mans winner Nielsen for her pace.{{Cite web |last=Kilbey |first=Stephen |date=23 June 2024 |title=Porsche Wins Rain-Soaked Six Hours Of The Glen (Updated) |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/06/23/porsche-wins-rain-soaked-six-hours-of-the-glen.html |website=dailysportscar.com}}{{Cite web |last=Dagys |first=John |date=2024-06-23 |title=Nielsen: LMP2 Win Makes for "Even Better" Past Week – Sportscar365 |url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/nielsen-first-imsa-win-on-heels-of-le-mans-triumph-even-better/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=sportscar365.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=RACERS |date=2024-06-24 |title=Lilou Wadoux takes victory at Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen |url=https://www.racers-behindthehelmet.com/post/lilou-wadoux-takes-victory-at-sahlen-s-six-hours-of-the-glen |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=Racers |language=en}}

Wadoux was set to take part in the Formula E women's test at the Circuito del Jarama in Madrid{{cite web |title=After severe storms in Valencia: Formula E cancels tests & moves to Madrid |url=https://e-formula.news/news/formula-e-news/formula-e-news-detail/after-severe-storms-in-valencia-formula-e-cancels-tests-moves-to-madrid-65354 |website=e-formula.news |access-date=6 November 2024}} ahead of the 2024–25 season, driving for Jaguar TCS Racing.{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Sam |title=Jaguar confirms Chadwick and Wadoux for Formula E test |url=https://www.autosport.com/formula-e/news/jaguar-confirms-chadwick-and-wadoux-for-formula-e-test/10668015/ |access-date=29 October 2024 |publisher=Autosport |date=29 October 2024}} However, issues with the seat insert prevented her from doing so.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-e/who-impressed-in-formula-es-groundbreaking-all-female-test/|title=Who impressed in Formula E's groundbreaking all-female test|website=The Race|last=Smith|first=Sam|date=9 November 2024|access-date=9 November 2024}}

In her early teenage years before taking up racing, Wadoux competed in tennis. She says her idols are tennis player Rafael Nadal and Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna, who her father, an amateur rally driver, admired in the 90s.{{cite web|url=https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/competizioni-gt/articles/wadoux-when-i-put-my-helmet-on-i-dream-of-le-mans|title=Wadoux: "When I put my helmet on I dream of Le Mans"|website=Ferrari|date=23 January 2023|access-date=23 January 2023}}

^† As Wadoux was a guest driver, she was ineligible to score points.

* Season still in progress.

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

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^* Season still in progress.

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

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{{reflist}}

• {{DriverDB driver|lilou-wadoux}}

{{Ferrari Competizione Factory Drivers}}

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Category:Living people

Category:2001 births

Category:French racing drivers

Category:French female racing drivers

Category:Sportspeople from Amiens

Category:FIA World Endurance Championship drivers

Category:24 Hours of Le Mans drivers

Category:Signature Team drivers

Category:AF Corse drivers

Category:Ferrari Competizioni GT drivers

Category:TCR Europe Touring Car Series drivers

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Category:24 Hours of Spa drivers

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Category:Super GT drivers

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Category:European Le Mans Series drivers