Marina Rossi Lowes - Team Director of the ELF Marc VDS Racing Team

Marina Rossi Lowes, Team Director for the ELF Marc VDS Racing Team in both World Superbikes and Moto2, is a force to be reckoned with in motorsport. Her story is one of relentless drive, resilience, and passion. From her early days in a small Italian town immersed in motorcycling culture, to leading one of the sport’s top teams, Marina’s career reflects a balance of strategic leadership and deep personal commitment. Juggling the demands of managing two elite teams whilst nurturing a family, her path is defined by hard work, adaptability, and her refusal to back down from challenges.

As team director, Marina's responsibilities are vast and varied. From managing sponsorships to overseeing budgets and salaries, her role requires constant vigilance and organization. "The range is very, very big," she notes, hinting at the complexities that go beyond just managing people. While a colleague handles the technical side, Marina takes charge of nearly every other aspect, ensuring the seamless operation of both the World Superbike and Moto2 teams.

Despite the pressures that come with the role, Marina thrives on it. Her meticulous approach and commitment to detail have earned the Marc VDS Moto2 team a reputation for professionalism often compared to MotoGP standards. “It’s not easy,” she concedes, but her passion for the sport keeps her motivated. "It’s my life, not just my job," she says with pride—a sentiment that reflects the depth of her devotion.

Marina's affinity for motorcycles runs deep, shaped by her upbringing in a region famous for producing racing legends like Valentino Rossi. "Where I’m from, motorcycles are part of life," she recalls. Growing up surrounded by motorsport enthusiasts, with a father and brother who shared a love for bikes, Marina was drawn to the world that would later define her career. "It’s in the blood," she says, underscoring how deeply motorcycling culture influenced her from an early age.

Breaking into motorsport as a woman, however, was far from easy. “Now, it’s more common, but I had to work twice as hard to prove myself,” she reflects. Despite the obstacles, her resolve never wavered. Marina earned her place through persistence and hard work, carving out a space for herself in an industry where female leaders were, and still are, a rarity.

Her journey has been anything but straightforward. Marina has faced her share of setbacks, but her unwavering determination helped her persevere. "Some people tried to stop me," she says, reflecting on moments when she had to fight harder to be taken seriously. Yet, it is her tenacity—what she calls her "stubbornness"—that has driven her forward, now in her 15th season with the Marc VDS Racing Team.

This strength has been critical not just to her success but to the success of her teams. Whether managing high-stakes decisions or navigating the challenges of race weekends, Marina has demonstrated a remarkable ability to stay focused and to guiding her teams to success.

One of the most impressive aspects of Marina’s life is how she balances her career and family. Together with her husband, a rider himself, Marina has built a lifestyle around the sport, sharing their love of racing with their daughter, Kathryn. From an early age, Kathryn has travelled the world with them, experiencing the thrill of race circuits from Australia to Qatar.

Now that Kathryn is older and attending school, Marina’s balancing act has become more challenging. She prioritizes European races and limits her international travel, ensuring she’s home as much as possible. "I even wake up in the middle of the night just to spend one more night with her," Marina says, highlighting her deep commitment to both her family and her work.

Marina’s journey has been marked by an openness to learning at every step. With a background in languages and additional studies in business and accounting, she has continuously expanded her skill set, knowing that growth is key to staying competitive in motorsport. "You have to be open to learning absolutely everything," she emphasises, acknowledging that even in her senior position, there is always more to discover.

This willingness to adapt and evolve has been integral to her leadership. “We’ll never know everything, but we can always learn more,” she remarks, a mindset that she believes is essential for anyone aspiring to succeed in motorsport. Marina's success has not only opened doors for herself but also for other women in motorsport. While she acknowledges that women in the industry are often held to higher standards, she encourages them to remain resolute. "You have to be serious, work harder, and stay focused," she advises, but her own achievements show that the effort is well worth it.

Her leadership and accomplishments have set a powerful example, inspiring women in motorsport and beyond. Marina’s journey proves that with hard work, resilience, and passion, it’s possible to break through barriers and excel at the highest levels of the sport.

Marina Rossi Lowes' career is a shining example of what can be achieved with perseverance and passion.

 From her roots in Italy’s motorsport heartland to becoming a respected team director, her journey is a testament to the power of determination. In balancing the demands of two top-tier racing teams with the joys and challenges of family life, Marina has not only excelled in her career but also paved the way for others to follow. Her story continues to inspire, reminding us all that barriers are meant to be broken.