WIM – ‘FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars’ ready to shine at the Circuit Paul Ricard (12 – 16 October) |
The second phase of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission’s innovative talent detection and nurturing programme is set to start next week when the selected young female racers from around the globe convene at the Circuit Paul Ricard for the first shoot-out and training camp.
In June 2020, the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission launched the ‘FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars’ programme, in association with its first partner, Scuderia Ferrari. The project aims to identify the best 12-16 year old female drivers from around the world and help them reach a professional career in motor sport at the most critical age of growth. Subject to final assessment at the end of this year’s programme, one of the drivers could be awarded a one-year contract with the Ferrari Driver Academy for an FIA Formula 4 season in 2021, with her potentially making history by becoming Ferrari’s first-ever female racer.
“I am delighted we are finally able to welcome our young racers to the first shoot-out,” said Michèle Mouton, President of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission. “This is an incredible opportunity for them and really concrete support for young girls who are competing at the grassroots level of the sport and hoping to climb further up the ladder. It is an intense programme, as it should be, and I am sure competition will be high with all the girls eying the ultimate goal of working with Ferrari, our fantastic partner of the programme.”
Following a worldwide detection among the FIA’s 145 national sporting authorities who nominated their most promising young talent, 20 drivers from five continents will take part in this first two-day shoot-out (12-13 October). Hosted by the Winfield Racing School, the iconic and historic racing school based at the Circuit Paul Ricard, the participants will be assessed on track in identical Praga karts as well as off track in workshops covering psychology, physical and media training.
The 20 participants from five continents are:
| Participant | Date of birth | Nationality |
| Astrid ALMLÖF | 15 | Swedish |
| Julia AYOUB | 15 | Brazilian |
| Antonella BASSANI | 14 | Brazilian |
| Jessica EDGAR | 15 | British |
| Matilde FERREIRA | 14 | Portuguese |
| Aashi HANSPAL | 13 | Indian |
| Esmee KOSTERMAN | 15 | Dutch |
| Lola LOVINFOSSE | 15 | French |
| Mariana MACHADO | 16 | Portuguese |
| Toni NAUDÉ | 14 | Swiss |
| Juju NODA | 14 | Japanese |
| Freya NORMANN | 13 | Danish |
| Doriane PIN | 16 | French |
| Tyler Jean ROBINSON | 12 | South African |
| Kristina SHIPKOVA | 14 | Russian |
| Milla SJÖSTRAND | 12 | Swedish |
| Ella STEVENS | 14 | British |
| Maya WEUG | 16 | Dutch/Belgian |
| Kinga WOJCIK | 15 | Polish |
| Lilly ZUG | 14 | German |
Participants who have been unable to travel due to COVID-19 restrictions will qualify for the second call for talent in 2021 (subject to age eligibility).
After the two-day shoot-out, up to twelve drivers will then be selected to undergo a three-day training camp, also at the Winfield Racing School, which immediately follows the shoot-out (14-16 October). Once again, driving skills and progression will be assessed, and the girls will also take part in further workshops covering nutrition and stress management, as well as simulator training. Up to eight drivers will then be selected to move on to the second training camp at Circuit Paul Ricard from 2-4 November.
Once this second Formula 4 training camp has been completed, up to four drivers will be selected to attend the Ferrari Driver Academy in Maranello, also in November, for the final part of their FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars journey.
Note to media: Media are invited on Tuesday 13 October when FIA President Jean Todt, and President of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, Michèle Mouton, will be in attendance. To register, please contact wecom@fia.com
