The Brazilian Automobile Confederation has launched the new Women's Automobile Commission and appointed former IndyCar racer Bia Figueiredo as President.
The Brazilian Automobile Confederation appointed Bia Figueiredo as President of the newly created Women Automobile Commission (CFA).
“Usually, a commission is created and work starts from there - but in this case everything was different, because Bia has been a wonderful help to our management since the beginning of last year, she has already done a fantastic job and all that, from now on, will go under the umbrella of the Women's Commission”, said Giovanni Guerra, President of the Brazilian Automobile Confederation (CBA).
One of the most successful female racing drivers in motor racing, nationally and internationally, Bia Figueiredo scored eight podiums in IndyLights throughout 2008 and 2009, winning two races. The outstanding results gained her a place in IndyCar in 2010, where she made 29 starts and entered 4 Indy500. Figueiredo raced from 2014 to 2019 in Brazil's premier touring car championship, Stock Car Brasil, before making her debut in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. After giving birth to two sons, Bia will return to full-time racing in 2023, in the Copa Truck.
Figueiredo is also the coordinator of the Girls on Track and Women in Formula 1 programs in Brazil, as well as a member of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission.
“Giovanni invited me right at the beginning of the project and we've done very positive work. The results of our FIA Girls On Track event at the Formula 1 GP were wonderful."
"Now, with the Commission, everything will be more organized and I will have the strength and experience of Rachel Loh and Bruna Frazão. It's just the beginning of a lot of good things to come", said Bia, who will have an all-female team to help her in this new challenge: marketing specialist Bruna Frazão and Stock Car engineer Rachel Loh, who already worked with Figueiredo before the Commission was officially launched.
“Bruna and Rachel are two incredible women, who battled a lot and today are references in the sport. With their experience, many actions have already been carried out and, certainly, we will accelerate even more in 2023".
“All the work that we have been developing, and which will now become more intense with the Commission, aims to attract more women to motorsport, in addition to supporting those who already work in the sport", the newly-appointed President explained.
"This all requires planning and organization for the girls to get to know and get excited about motorsport. Many of them would like to work in racing, but don't know where to start. The Commission's job is to improve the existing tools and create others to facilitate this access”, concluded the former IndyCar driver.