On Thursday, 5 March, the Motorsport Australia FIA Girls on Track Career & Mentoring Summit brought together eager participants and experienced industry professionals for a day of learning, discussion and career connections at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix.

The 2026 event marks the fifth year in which 20 young women are selected to participate in the FIA Girls on Track Career & Mentoring Summit to kickstart a career in motorsport.

The day commences with small group workshops and mentoring sessions, followed by a networking event hosted by Audi in the Audi Australia Trackside Suite where participants have the opportunity to chat with Audi F1 Team members, Audi Australia management, motorsport industry personnel, FIA representatives, Supercars personnel and motorsport media.

Hosted by Girls on Track Advocate Kate Peck and Eleanor Baillieu, and attended by 131 guests, the networking event was headlined by a Q&A between World Championship surfer Steph Gilmore, interviewed by Rally Champion Molly Taylor.

For the lucky 20 girls, the experience concluded with a tour of the Audi F1 Team garage and a meet-and-greet with Audi executives and F1 drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg.

Motorsport Australia Development Manager Charlie Barlow praised the Summit and everyone involved.

“Seeing so many young women engaging directly with professionals from across the motorsport industry made the Summit incredibly rewarding,” Barlow said.

“The level of enthusiasm and curiosity from the participants showed how valuable this program is.”

Following Thursday’s Summit, in a first for the program, the Girls on Track participants all commenced work experience placements across the entire event, accumulating more than 500 hours of work placement over the four days of racing.

“The work experience component is a new part of the program in 2026,” Barlow said.

“It gives participants meaningful, real-world experience in the many career pathways that exist in motorsport and sets them on a trajectory where they can continue to build on these connections.”

Motorsport Australia extends its thanks to the following teams and organisations for their ongoing program support.

• Red Bull Ampol Racing
• Team 18
• Blanchard Racing Team
• Brad Jones Racing
• Supercars Technical Team
• Penrite Racing
• Dick Johnson Racing
• Tickford Racing
• Australian Sports Management
• Octane Events
• Formula 2 and Formula 3
• Audi Revolut F1 Team

For the third year running, two participants identified as high-achievers from the previous year’s program were invited back to support the Audi F1 Team for the Grand Prix, experiencing on of the sport’s elite-level teams in action.

For more on information on the FIA Girls on Track program, head to the Motorsport Australia website.