Maya Weug– first female to join highly prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy under FIA Rising Stars Programme begins campaign to race full F4 Championship season with Iron Lynx Team. Having gained opportunity to further her racing career through the launch of FIA Women in Motorsport Commission initiative, Maya stands to break barriers for females entering single-seater racing with the sport’s highest profile Brand.
The achievement has been hard won, not just by Maya herself racing Go-Karts for past 7 years, but by FIA Women Motorsport Commission’s past decade of work actioning greater inclusivity of females within Formula racing.
Taking up the challenge to provide sustainable pathway for talented female drivers to further develop racing careers, ‘Girls on Track’ programme evolved to ‘Rising Stars’ platform whereby girls aged 12-16 were eligible for selection for top spot within Ferrari Driver Academy 2021.
From initial submission of talented young female drivers early in 2020, to shoot-out of karting drivers at Paul Ricard circuit in October, top 12 went through to Training Camp One, then narrowed down list of drivers to Training Camp Two. Final phase was between top 4 drivers, with one week training at Scuderia Ferrari home base in Fiorano, Italy, which involved Maya, French driver Dorian Pin, Brazilian Antonella Bassani and Julia Ayoub testing F4 cars.
Certainly, selection process provided super opportunity for all girls to put their skills to the test, while at same time re-vitalizing how young talented women execute themselves against competition- on and off the track. Maya displayed innate sense of maturity handling limited time in F4 car with aptitude- as stated by head of Ferrari Driver Academy, Marco Matassa:
‘”Despite very limited experience in a single-seater, Maya had a good turn of speed and demonstrated a mastery of the car that meant she could immediately implement the instructions she was given. This attitude, along with the results she produced, both on track and off, as well as her open and determined personality, led us to conclude that Maya is ready to start her adventure with us at FDA”‘.
With pathway set, Maya embarks on exercising all important driver talent competing in Italian F4 Championship starting Race 1 at Circuit Paul Ricard on May 14-16. The 7 Race Series follows to Misano World Circuit, June 4-6, Race 3 at Vallelunga, June 18-20, Race 4 at Imola, July 23-25, Race 5 at Red Bull Ring, September 10-12, Race 6 at Mugello, October 8-10 and Final Race 7 at Monza on October 29-31.
Header Photo: Maya Weug, Ferrari Driver Academy, Photo Credit: Michael Jurtin.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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