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• Tyler Robinson chosen as 1 of 20 girls to compete in new FIA program
• Robinson the only South African in the competition
• More than 70 applications received
Young women drivers are poised to become Ferrari's first-ever female racing professionals as a result of an exciting and innovative talent detection programme by the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission and its first major partner, Scuderia Ferrari.
Following the 11 June 2020 announcement of the FIA Girls on Track - Rising Stars project, an agreement, set to expand over four years, could result in two candidates, aged between 12 and 16, becoming full-time students.
This will see them possibly entering one of the national FIA Formula 4 championships as Ferrari Academy drivers.
Including female youngsters
South African Tyler Robinson has been chosen as a finalist following a worldwide selection phase from more than 70 applications across five continents. She is one of twenty drivers who will participate in a shoot-out in October at the Winfield Racing School based at the Paul Ricard Circuit, France. Twelve drivers will then move onto the next stage, attending karting and F4-focused training camps before a further eight drivers are eliminated. The final quartet will then participate in a week-long course at the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) in November.
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Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto, who at last year's Christmas media lunch said the FDA was targeting inclusion of female drivers in its ranks, said: "We are really pleased to be collaborating with the FIA in this innovative Girls on Track - Rising Stars programme. The FDA has been operating for over a decade now, not just purely and simply selecting the best drivers, but also working on their cultural, technical and ethical education. With this in mind, we felt we had to make a further effort to expand our area of operation to include female youngsters who want to get on in motorsport."
"Although there is no actual barrier to their participation, we are aware that it is harder for women to progress in this field. That's why we have responded enthusiastically to the FIA initiative, and we believe that we can help introduce even more young women to this fantastic sport."
Robinson said: "Finding out that I have been selected for the FIA Girls On Track - Rising Stars Shoot Out, I feel super excited and really nervous at the same time, and in the back of my mind all I can think about is what I am going to do, to make the most of this opportunity."
