FIA Girls On Track Junior Finalists revealed

After a three-day test at Franciacorta Karting Track, the Junior finalists of the 2023 FIA Girls On Track selection have been named: discover the four young talents who will advance to the FIA-FDA Karting Scouting Camp in November.

Photo credits: FIA

The fourth and final edition of the FIA Girls On Track selection is underway and, after three days of testing at the Franciacorta Karting Track, the four junior finalists have been named:

Eva Dorrestijn, Annabella "Bella" Fairclough, Bianca Nagy and Vanessa Silkunaite are the four drivers aged between 12 to 14 that are going through to the next stage, when they will be assessed by Ferrari Driver Academy at the FIA-FDA Karting Scouting Camp.

Applications opened in June and eight young were selected for the three day test at Franciacorta, in the North of Italy: Ella Jönsson, from Sweden, Klara Kowalczyk from Poland, Eliska Plna from Czech Republic and Kanon Takahashi from Japan were also part of the selections, which included practice sessions, qualifying and super pole sessions, before the final race simulation offered a glimpse of their skills behind the wheel.

Alongside the on-track action, drivers attended workshops on mental and physical training with the invaluable support of 321 Perform experts. For the first time, the program included a seminar on the topic of online abuse, as social media is now widely regarded as one of the primary communication tools for young athletes.

The jury - chaired by Cathy Muller, former French racing driver and Iron Dames detection Manager, Ferrari Driver Academy, the ACI Driving School (Italian Federation), and 321 Perform representatives - selected Dorrestijn (13 from the Netherlands), Fairclough (12, from the UK), Nagy (12, from Hungary) and Silkunaite (12, from Lithuania) for the next stage.

Here is a short bio of all the participants.

"It was a great pleasure to be present in Franciacorta for the junior selection of the FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars Program", commented Deborah Mayer, FIA Women In Motorsport Commission President and Iron Dames founder. "I salute the great spirit and determination of each of the participants. They showed just how strong their passion for motorsport and dreams are."

"Congratulations and good luck for the final to Vanesa, Bianca, Annabella & Eva who came on top of the junior category", Mayer continued, as she attended her second Girls On Track selection as the President of the FIA WIM Commission. "To the others, it’s only the beginning of the journey. They must not give up on their passion and their dream and continue to work hard and progress as they have done this week."

"I’d like to warmly thank ACI Scuola Federale for organising the event to such a high standard. All my best and heartfelt thanks to all our partners - Ferrari Driver Academy, Iron Dames, 3,2,1 Perform, Pirelli, OMP for their contribution, assistance and dedication. We look forward to welcoming the 4 finalists in Franciacorta in November for the Final.”

Activities for the Senior group will continue on Thursday, as they move their first steps in Formula 4 machinery. Joanne Ciconte, Domenika Arellano, Anniken Lindfjord, Meri Levula, Alba Hurup Larsen, Mathilda Paatz, Jure Portelli and Milla Sjöstrand will be competing for a spot in the FDA with a F4 program in 2024.