For Aseel Al-Hamad, the moment that preceded the French Grand Prix marked the end of one era and the onset of what she hopes will be a new one.
Al-Hamad, who is from Saudi Arabia, drove a Formula One car for a lap of the Le Castellet circuit today, after a ban on women driving in the Gulf kingdom ended.
She climbed behind the wheel of a 2012 Renault as part of a parade of Renaults marking the company's return to the race, which was won by Lewis Hamilton.
"I believe today is not just celebrating the new era of women starting to drive, it's also the birth of women in motor sport in Saudi Arabia," Al-Hamad said (via Reuters).
"The most important thing I am looking forward to is to start seeing the next generation, young girls, trying (motor sports careers).