Hong Kong’s Denise Yeung to become first Chinese woman to compete in Road to Le Mans
Competitive mother of three in her 50s says she entered the gruelling race in France in June to tell her children ‘age is just a number’
For Hong Kong driver Denise Yeung, the prospect of facing 75 minutes and around 728 corners, with the heaviest ones requiring a 110kg stomp on the brake pedal, has marked the realisation of a decade-long dream through physical exertion unimaginable for most.
The real estate professional, who is in her 50s, will become the first Chinese woman to compete in the Road to Le Mans series in France from June 10 to 12 – but she refuses to be limited by any one identity.
Founded in 1923, the Le Mans tradition is regarded as one of the world’s most iconic endurance races and the Road to Le Mans serves as a vital “stepping stone” to higher-level endurance competitions.
“I deeply cherish being the first Chinese woman to participate in the Road to Le Mans. This is a historic moment that cannot be replicated,” Yeung said.
Yeung will team up in June with 20-year-old English driver Theo Micouris, who secured second runner-up at the 2025 Road to Le Mans. Representing Team Virage, the duo will compete in an LMP3 prototype within the Pro/Am category.
She noted that pursuing the sport in Hong Kong was “absolutely, absolutely, absolutely difficult”, as the city lacked an official go-kart track, let alone a racing circuit.