The FIA has announced that it will expand its Women in Motorsport Mentorship programme, following significant interest in the first application cycle.

Over 850 women applied for the mentorship programme, after it was launched in June.

As a result, the Women in Motorsport Commission will offer 500 mentorship places for the second application cycle, starting from 2025. This represents a 200 place increase against this year’s cycle.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “We are pleased to expand this programme, following the success of our first application cycle. The FIA is dedicated to creating equal opportunities and increasing diversity within motor sport. This programme will provide a key opportunity for the ongoing growth and success of our sport.”

The Women in Motorsport Mentorship programme aims to provide tailored support to women seeking or building careers in motor sport. Mentees will be partnered with established professionals from across the motor sport industry, whether they work in engineering, communications, logistics or other areas.

The programme will aim to support women both within and outside the FIA ecosystem, with a proportion of mentorship opportunities reserved for those already working in Member Clubs.

The expansion plans were presented during the FIA’s American Congress, an annual event for Member Clubs from across North, South and Central America and the Caribbean.

Sara Mariani, FIA Sustainability and Diversity & Inclusion Director, said: “Here at the FIA, we are passionate about growing opportunities for women in every role and stage of their motor sport journey. In June, we announced that we hope to achieve gender parity across motor sport by 2030 – and we are confident that programmes like this one will help us to achieve our goal.”

The WIM Mentorship Programme is part of the FIA’s wider efforts to promote gender equality within motor sport, including by improving women’s pathways into motorsport and mobility, and supporting women to reach leadership roles within motorsport.

Applications for the mentorship programme have now closed. The mentees will be announced in late September.