In a motor sport first, the FIA has launched a new global development programme for women. The innovative 'Women in Motorsport Mentorship programme' will connect successful professionals with those wishing to advance or to start their careers. 

The programme was launched by the FIA Sustainability and D&I Department Director, Sara Mariani, alongside the former FIFA Secretary General and current FIA Senate member, Fatma Samoura, Women in Motorsport Commission Chair, Burcu Cetinkaya, FIA Vice President for Sport - South America, Fabiana Ecclestone, WRC Commission Chair, Pernilla Solberg and FIA EDI Consultant Tanya Kutsenko from the FIA 2024 Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

It was linked live to the FIA Women in Motorsport networking event taking place in Le Mans.

The new programme is now open to applications.

Designed to facilitate personal and professional growth, less experienced individuals – mentees – will be paired with more experienced peers – mentors – connecting women to foster a culture of learning, growth, and collaboration.

Providing guidance, support, and insights that will help them navigate their professional journey, mentors will share their knowledge, experiences, and advice, offering valuable perspectives aimed to accelerate the mentee’s development.

Hosted online, participants will connect through a digital platform allowing for flexible and accessible interaction regardless of location, with the online nature ensuring ease of scheduling and resource sharing.

The application process for club participation and individual registrations is designed to be straightforward and efficient. Each club will receive a dedicated email containing a unique link through which they can apply. Clubs are permitted to nominate up to two participants and applications will be processed on a "first come, first serve" basis.

For all eligible women and girls not linked to a club but interested in becoming mentors or mentees, they can apply here.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, said: “It is important that motor sport diversifies, and here at the FIA we are committed to making our sport more accessible to all.

This new programme will help to create a network of support and learning for women, ensuring accessibility and opening up new opportunities in line with our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. I am proud to work with so many accomplished women in our sport and I champion their voices.”

At the FIA, diversity is encouraged across the board, with the federation committed to building better and more accessible pathways into Motor Sport and mobility alike. Established in 2009, the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission has helped change the sport’s culture to better facilitate and value the participation of women in all aspects.

From developing programmes like this to advance female participation on and off the track, to raising awareness of the huge diversity of industry roles available to women, the commission – and the FIA – are demonstrating that women are not just recognised, but supported, by the highest body responsible for motor sport