Lewis Hamilton pays tribute to Mary McGee after female motorsport pioneer’s death at 87
Female motorsport pioneer Mary McGee has passed away at the age of 87 – with Lewis Hamilton among those to pay tribute to the American.
The 87-year-old, who passed away in Nevada on Wednesday, was the first woman to compete in motorcycle road racing and motocross events in the United States back in the 1960s.
She was also the first woman to race the famous Baja 1000 and the only woman to finish the Baja 500 solo.
McGee appeared on the grid with Martin Brundle at the Canadian Grand Prix in June and was subject to a 2024 documentary, Motorcycle Mary, produced by Hamilton.
Shortly after her family announced her death, Hamilton paid tribute on his Instagram, saying: “I’m deeply saddened to hear that Mary McGee, the first woman to road race motorcycles in the U.S and the first person to solo the Baja 500 has passed on.
“My condolences to her family and everyone who she’s inspired.
“Her legacy will live on as a trailblazer in the world of motorsports and beyond.
“I had the honour to meet Mary and help support a short documentary about her incredible journey. Her grit and unshakable determination will continue to inspire me, always.
“Link to Motorcycle Mary in stories, hope you give it a watch. Thank you for everything, Mary.”
McGee stopped racing in vintage motocross events in 2012 and was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2018.
Brundle also paid tribute, posting on X: “This is very sad, spoke to her on the grid in Montreal and was due to make a feature with Mary in Austin but she wasn’t well.
“Truly remarkable lady, there is a documentary being released anytime about her life.”
