After a hard-working winter in the Ferrari Driver Academy, the winners of the first two editions of FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars are now tackling a season of opportunity and challenge.
FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars is an innovative programme launched by the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission to detect and nurture the female racing talent of the future. The first two editions brought out 3 promising young female drivers meriting support as they strive to forge a career in motorsport. Now, under the wing of the Ferrari Driver academy, they are taking on new challenges this year on their path to the top level.
Inaugural winner of the FIA Girls of Track – Rising Stars and Ferrari Driver Academy racer, Maya Weug (17 years old, Dutch), will be competing in a full-season Italian F4 entry as well as select ADAC F4 rounds with the confidence of the Iron Dames for the second year.
Laura Camps Torres (17 years old, Spanish) also joins the Iron Dames after becoming the second woman after to graduate the Ferrari Driver Academy. The 16-year-old Spaniard will be taking up F4 testing for 2022.
Maria Germano Neto (11 years old, Portuguese), 2021 FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars Junior winner will compete in a season of international karting with Tony Kart in the OK Junior category, with the financial backing of the Ferrari Driver Academy.
Deborah Mayer, FIA Women in Motorsport Commission President, said: “I am delighted that our rising stars have valuable opportunities this season in a professional team to demonstrate their talent and progress. In addition to the demanding work in the Ferrari Driver Academy, this season will give them even more professionalism and experience in their early career to make steps further to the highest level. I wish them all the best as ambassadors of our FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars programme and role models of tomorrow for all the young girls who dream of a future in motor sport. With our partners, FDA and Iron Dames, we are committed together to promote female talent within the sport and help them make their dream a reality.”
Following the success of the two first editions, 2022 will mark the 3rd edition of the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars programme. In 2021, the programme has been extended to include two additional seasons, in 2022 and 2023, which will potentially result in a total of four female drivers becoming members of the Ferrari Driver Academy under the same conditions.