Katherine Legge Considers Stepping Away from Racing Amid Intimidation and Threats
April 22, 2025 – Charlotte, NC
Veteran British racing driver Katherine Legge is reportedly contemplating stepping away from professional motorsports following a recent wave of intimidation, threats, and harassment both on and off the track.
Legge, 44, has been a trailblazer in a male-dominated sport for over two decades, competing in series from Champ Car to Formula E, IndyCar, and most recently, NASCAR. However, her return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series this year has come with unexpected challenges, including targeted online abuse and even death threats following an on-track incident at Rockingham Speedway.
The incident, which saw Legge’s car spun after contact with William Sawalich before being hit by Kasey Kahne, triggered a storm of vitriol on social media. “This isn’t just racing criticism,” Legge said on her Throttle Therapy podcast. “This is personal. It’s threatening. And it’s unacceptable.”
Sources close to Legge suggest she is weighing her future in motorsports, deeply affected by the psychological toll of the harassment. While she has always been an advocate for inclusivity and perseverance in the paddock, this latest wave of hostility has reportedly led her to question whether continuing is worth the risk to her safety and well-being.
The racing community has responded with a mix of concern and support. Several drivers, including Marco Andretti and Simona de Silvestro, have voiced their solidarity, calling for better protections and a zero-tolerance approach to abuse within the sport.
Despite the adversity, Legge remains proud of her career and the barriers she has broken. “I’ve fought hard to be here,” she said. “But no one should have to fight off threats just to do what they love.”
Her final decision on continuing her career is expected in the coming weeks.
