Despite being one of the few sports where men and women compete on equal footing, motorsport remains heavily male-dominated, with women making up just 1.5% of licensed competitors worldwide. To change this, the FIA Girls On Track program empowers young women aged 12 to 18 by offering free access to workshops, hands-on activities, and behind-the-scenes experiences in motorsport. By breaking down barriers and inspiring the next generation, the initiative aims to fuel a more inclusive future for the sport.
Girls on Track held its event in Miami, Florida, during the Formula E weekend, where attendees heard from women breaking barriers in the motorsports industry. The speakers addressed the all-female crowd, offering insights into their careers and advice on topics such as marketing yourself, being confident in taking up space and networking to enter the industry.
Cindy Sisson of Women in Motorsports North America shared historical anecdotes with the young women, including how in 1971, French journalist Marie-Claude Beaumont became Formula 1’s first accredited female reporter after male colleagues lobbied to overturn the sport’s ban on women in the paddock. The restriction had been rooted in concerns they would “distract drivers” (Formula 1, “Women in F1: The Pioneers”).
Nicole Longhini-McElroy, marketing director for Maserati North America, advised the young women to introduce themselves with “a firm hand shake” and “looking someone in the eyes,” while adding, “Be passionate about what you do, because if you’re not passionate, you’re not going to get engaged in what you do.”
Rebecca Vollman, public charging account manager at ABB E-mobility, explained how she knew she belonged in the industry, saying, “I worked on cars and realized I could probably design them better than the people that were currently designing them.”
The attendees gained hands-on experience throughout the event, networking directly with industry leaders, testing their skills on professional-grade racing simulators, and getting an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at team operations during a guided pit walk.
Learn more about the program and the next locations HERE.
The 2025 Miami E-Prix will take place on Saturday, April 11, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Get your tickets HERE.