The FIA Women in Motorsport Seminar drew to a close this afternoon (8 October) and after two intense days of networking, discussion and debate, plans for the next four years have been established. From their own conclusions during the workshops, the ASNs were able to create their own ‘Road Maps’ for both national and regional implementation and, from this, the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission has prioritised its own eight recommendations for its ‘Chart for the Future’ from 2016-2020.

Wrapping up at the conclusion of the second FIA Women in Motorsport Seminar, President of the Commission, Michèle Mouton said: “At the first Seminar we were giving information and advice, we were trying to help the ASNs; today I get the feeling they were demanding more from us and this was a really nice feeling.

“It has been a pleasure to welcome so many people to help shape future plans, and the key outcomes are to help the ASNs, individually and as regions, identify their objectives for the next four years. From this, the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission has also identified its own missions for 2016-2020.

“We must keep hold of this momentum and enthusiasm, and continue our co-operation and communication because we have great foundations to work from.

“Thank you to everyone who has been part of the second FIA Women in Motorsport Seminar and I wish you success back at home as you endeavour to implement projects and communicate at a national level.”

Jean-Louis Valentin, the FIA Secretary General for Sport, was in attendance during the Seminar and underlined the importance of the Women in Motorsport Seminar on the FIA’s calendar. “This is a very impressive event; we have the General Assembly, the World Motor Sport Council, Sport Conference and this Seminar, and for us this is a moment for debating, discussing and preparing for the future. I would like to congratulate you for this, you have worked a lot and we have a huge attendance of 90 people from 43 countries, it’s a significant increase of national representation during this seminar. I would like to thank Carlos Barbosa, our host, and also his team from ACP for their outstanding work. Michèle [Mouton] and all the FIA team; there is huge work in the preparation of events like this and I would like to tell you very sincerely that for us, the advancement of women in motor sport is a high priority. The FIA Administration has a lot to do with the smooth running of the FIA championships, but we are also trying to improve our involvement in the development of motor sport in general.”

ACP President Carlos Barbosa also congratulated the participants on the fantastic achievement of the past two days. “There are many goals and you have a very important document for your work of the future. You have formed into a team the last two days and that’s very very important. We cannot build within the FIA without a team, the ASNs and the people that represent the women and members that can go forward in this sport. It’s been a real pleasure and honour to host the second Women in Motorsport Seminar here in Lisbon; happy landings in your countries.”