As part of The Girls Who Motorsport’s ongoing Pride in Motorsport series—an editorial project dedicated to amplifying LGBTQ+ voices within racing—Megan Smith sat down with commentator Chris Stevens, one of the sport’s rapidly emerging broadcast talents. Stevens has become a familiar presence across international GT racing, Formula E coverage, and, most notably, his 2025 debut behind the microphone at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

Known for his clarity, wit, and thoughtful engagement, he has become an important LGBTQ+ figure in motorsport. In this interview, Stevens reflects on his unexpected journey into commentary, the shifting landscape of inclusion within the industry, and the inspirations—both personal and pop-cultural—that continue to shape his work and sense of pride.

A Winding Road to the Commentary Box

For Stevens, becoming a motorsport commentator wasn’t the straight-line trajectory one might imagine. “No one ever gets from A to B to C to D,” he laughs. “It’s long and squiggly; it loops around and goes back on itself.”

That squiggly line began at age fourteen, when a young Chris, equal parts motorsport obsessive and promising writer, started a Formula 1 blog. It quickly became clear that racing wasn’t just an interest; it was his ambition. Journalism came first: small websites, countless unpaid trips to races, and eventually a place at Formula Spy. In the end, his efforts secured him a spot in the Autosport young writer programme.

A chance moment nudged him toward commentary. At a karting event for a Missed Apex podcast, a microphone was thrust into his hand. “People started coming after me and saying, ‘You are actually really good at this.’ Something I didn’t know about myself.”

From there, he continued juggling PR work, restless ambition, and the occasional commentary booking. Eventually a candid conversation with his boss turned into him, almost accidentally, quitting his full-time job. “He just sort of opened up the door ajar for me … and I flung it open,” Stevens recalls. What followed was a whirlwind of opportunities, including his first full-season gig in International GT Open and, in 2025, a dream fulfilled: commentating the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“It was pretty nuts,” he admits. “I was on the list. I’m the one who ended up doing it.”

Visibility, Acceptance, and a Changing Motorsport Culture

Stevens’s story is also deeply interwoven with his identity. Growing up, he didn’t hide his sexuality, but he didn’t advertise it either. “I didn’t realise that I stood out … The first time I did Formula 1, I was the youngest person in the room by about 20 years. You know, people were looking around, like, ‘Who’s brought their f*cking grandkid?’”

Working in Formula E helped him recognise what inclusion could look like. “They were a very progressive series. They actively encouraged this [and] were very happy to have people like me in the paddock. I always felt welcomed by the series.”

While he notes that he has been fortunate not to face direct discrimination, occasionally, he encounters outdated language from older figures in the sport. But instead of resentment, his reaction is most times empathetic. “Part of me thinks, ‘No, I know deep down you are actually like a good person … This is just a sort of generational difference,’ and I will do my best to steer you in the right direction.”

Across motorsport, he sees a cultural shift: “There’s a general consensus now that we should be doing something. The days of sticking our heads in the sand and saying it has nothing to do with us … that’s fading.”

And visibility matters. At 24 Hours of Le Mans, Stevens wore a Pride badge on his TNT Sports polo and his Together Band supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion. “No one batted an eye,” he recalls with a hint of pride.

Heroes, Hopes, and a Dash of Sci-Fi

While many people in motorsport inspire Stevens, two loom large: commentator Christian Hewgill and driver Charlie Martin, both prominent LGBTQ+ figures in the sport. “You learn a lot about how brave you need to be to just kind of keep being you,” he says about his role models. Their resilience informs his own approach. Not just guidance regarding his identity, but also when facing the gruelling reality of motorsport life: endless travel, missed family events, and long periods spent navigating airports and hire-car queues.

Outside motorsport, his greatest inspiration is deliciously unexpected: Captain Jack Harkness from Doctor Who and Torchwood. “One of the most fantastically written characters ever to grace modern television. He’s so nonplussed by everything,” he explains. “We are sat here arguing whether certain identities should have certain rights. And then from his time, they are busy shagging other species. Puts our disputes into such perspective.” Stevens beams as he talks about the character’s unapologetic, unaffected queerness. “I loved how he wasn’t fazed by anything.”

And as for dream gigs—well, 24 Hours of Le Mans has already been ticked off the list. Motorsport, he says, is full of surprises. “You have got to take the opportunities when they arise. Maybe I was at the bottom of the list.” Even if he was, Stevens doesn’t “give a f***” because at least he was on the list.

Towards a Sport Where Everyone Belongs

Asked what he hopes for motorsport’s future, Stevens speaks not just as a commentator but as someone who believes deeply in the transformative power of visibility.

“I would love to see a world where it’s not an odd thing to see two men or two women holding hands walking down the paddock. Where a gay driver wins a Grand Prix and kisses their boyfriend in Parc Fermé. What a moment that’ll be for the sport.”

He envisions paddocks where women feel safe, where trans people feel safe, and where teams recognise that diversity isn’t just “a nice social thing”. Diversity improves performance, creativity, and competitiveness, Wallrich et al. (2024) proved again.“It’s sad that you kind of have to incentivise a race team to do this by telling them it will make the car quicker,” he admits. “Diversity improves performance across the board … In a sport where the main currency is lap time. I can’t fault them too much for being a little bit shortsighted.”

Allies, he emphasises, matter hugely. “Being a good ally means not judging. It means wanting to understand someone else’s perspective. It’s okay if you f*** up someone’s pronouns every once in a while, as long as the effort is in there. That will be hugely appreciated.”

As for himself, he doesn’t wake up thinking he will change the world that day. But he knows representation ripples outward, “Possibly the best way to be that inspiration is to just get on with the job. Just get out there!”

You can read more from our Pride in Motorsport series here.