Ferrari’s Driver Academy has signed a four-year agreement with the FIA to assist with the governing body’s Girls on Track-Rising Stars programme.
The initiative, set up by the FIA, aims to unearth the best female drivers between the ages of 12 and 15, will now be backed by Ferrari and its young driver scheme.
The ambition is for two female drivers, backed by the FDA, to be competing in full-time FIA Formula 4 Championships by 2022.
“We are really pleased to be collaborating with the FIA in this innovative Girls on Track – Rising Stars programme,” said Ferrari’s Formula 1 Team Principal Mattia Binotto.
“We are firm believers in the value of helping youngsters develop in motor sport.
“The FDA has been operating for over a decade now, not just purely and simply selecting the best drivers, but also working on their cultural, technical and ethical education.
“With this in mind, we felt we had to make a further effort to expand our area of operation to include female youngsters who want to get on in motor sport.
“Although there is no actual barrier to their participation, we are aware that it is harder for women to progress in this field.
“That’s why we have responded enthusiastically to the FIA initiative and we believe that we can help introduce even more young women to this fantastic sport.
“Who knows, maybe one day we will once again see a woman competing in a Formula 1 World Championship race for the first time since 1976.”
Formula 3 driver Sophia Floersch is set to be the only female racer competing in the FIA’s leading three categories this year.
