This exciting project provides a unique opportunity for girls between the ages of 8 and 18 years old to check out the world of motor sport and the many and varied career opportunities open to them. In what some still consider to be a male-dominated environment, FIA Girls on Track aims to shed any preconceptions and demonstrate that motor sport is all-inclusive and open to everyone.

FIA President Jean Todt, who visited the FIA Girls on Track activities today together with Violeta Bulc, Member of the European Commission for Transport, said: “This is an inspirational environment for the young girls who are participating and it is clear to see how engaged and enthusiastic they are. FIA Girls on Track is a programme that is making a real contribution to our goal of gender equality in the sport and if our ASNs can also connect with the programme on a national level, we have a big opportunity to increase female participation in the sport globally.”

The FIA Girls on Track-Dare to be Different programme covers a number of fun but educational activities aimed at opening young eyes to new and thought-provoking opportunities. In a technical STEM challenge, girls were tasked with building a miniature car from building blocks, powering the vehicle with air from a balloon to demonstrate some of the engineering principles key to designing racing cars. The media workshop put the girls through their paces in the role of a television presenter and road safety activities demonstrated the dangers of walking, and therefore driving, under the influence of alcohol, drugs and tiredness. An environmental workshop also sought to heighten awareness of pollution, and the importance and impact of recycling on our planet.

A racing simulator prepared the girls for a fun few laps experiencing the adrenaline of the sport behind the wheel of an e-kart before they headed into the Formula E pit lane and paddock for tours around a number of the team’s garages. And finally, the girls were able to get up close with the HWA Racelab Gen2 race car in the FIA Girls on Track village.

Friday sees another day of activities for more young girls from Berlin and women in motor sport ambassadors and key females involved in the sport will take part in a Panel Discussion about their various roles in the motor sport community.