Aspiring young female drivers have the chance to receive a major boost towards their careers with the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars program.

Now in its fourth year, the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars program will once again work with the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) to find and develop 12-16-years-old girls from around the world and offer a unique opportunity of a spot in the FDA to one lucky winner.

With the program split into junior and senior categories, a pool of 16 drivers from around the world will be selected to attend one of two training camps at the Franciacorta circuit in Italy, which will be run in conjunction with the ACI Scuola Federale – the Driving School of the Italian Federation. before four seniors are chosen to attend a scouting camp at Ferrari’s home base in Maranello.

Similar to the FDA Scouting World Finals, the four female finalists will undergo a rigorous program made up of physical and mental tests, media activities, technical workshops, simulator training and two days of running Formula 4 cars on track.

The girl deemed the most talented and promising will be rewarded with a spot in the FDA 2024 program and compete in a Formula 4 Championship with the support of the Iron Dames team in 2024.

The winner won’t be the only one to benefit for the competition, with other finalists provided with racing career support and various driving development opportunities, while the best karter will have the opportunity to participate in an International Karting season 2024 supported by the FDA.

In 2022, Aussie Alice Buckley attended the FIA Girls On Track - Rising Star program before being one of the four drivers chosen to attend the Ferrari Driver Academy’s World Scouting Finals.

While she didn’t win a place with the FDA, it was still an amazing learning experience for the teenager.

“I enjoyed the experience as a whole. It was way above what I expected and was very educational too. I got a lot out of it, and we have a lot to work on before the next stage," Buckley said after being selected for the final. 
 
“I really enjoyed driving around Circuit Paul Ricard too. I kept imagining what it was like with the F1 cars going around it, which was so cool.

"I am very appreciative to have had this opportunity and to be selected as well. It was all pretty amazing and I felt very lucky to have been able to do it."

The initial FIA Girls on Track – Rising Star program runs over four days in September with interested young women encouraged to contact Motorsport Australia for assistance or to submit their applications to the FIA.

The 2023 FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars program takes place at Franciacorta Circuit in Italy on 4-7 September.