Ferrari’s ‘Girls on Track’ partnership extended

Ferrari have confirmed they are extending their partnership with the FIA’s “Girls on Track” programme for another two years.

The initiative was launched in June to help find the most talented female drivers and potentially add them to the Ferrari Driver Academy.

Sixteen-year old Maya Weug prevailed in the final series of tests at Maranello to earn a spot in the academy and a drive in Formula 4 for the 2021 campaign.

“I will never forget this day. I am so happy to be the first female driver to join the Ferrari Driver Academy,” she said afterwards.

“Winning the final stage of the FIA ‘Girls on Track – Rising Stars’ programme makes me realise I was right to pursue my dream of becoming a racing driver.

“I will give my all to show the people who believed in me that I deserve to wear the Ferrari Driver Academy uniform and I can’t wait to come to Maranello to start preparing for my first season of single-seater racing.”

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🌟Following the success of the first edition of the FIA Girls on Track – #RisingStars programme, the FIA #WomeninMotorsport Commission announces an extension to its contract with Ferrari and a new partnership with the Iron Dames project.
Full story 👉 https://t.co/UX5JLOw9Or pic.twitter.com/vc5hNGqZNm

— FIA (@fia) March 24, 2021

The Italian team have now confirmed they will continue to work with the FIA to run the scheme for another two years at the very least.

Furthermore, the number of drivers that will join the FDA in that time has been doubled from two to four.

“Over the past few months, after the conclusion of the first edition of the ‘FIA Girls On Track – Rising Stars’ programme in Maranello, we have received a tremendous amount of support from all over the world,” said Laurent Mekies, Ferrari’s sporting director.

“It is fantastic to see the positive energy this programme has generated and we are aware of our responsibilities, together with the FIA, to continue to ensure its growth and to always increase the opportunities for women around the world to engage with motor racing.

“In this context it is with great pleasure that we welcome Iron Dames and Deborah Mayer as a long-term partner of the Ferrari Driver Academy for the FIA’s ‘Girls On Track – Rising Stars’ programme.

“We will be aiming to best support Maya in this first year of racing with Deborah’s team in the Italian F4 Championship certified by FIA.”

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