Photo: FIA
Aurelia Nobels and Zoe Florescu Potolea are the winners of the third edition of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission’s Ferrari Driver Academy-affiliated Girls on Track Rising Stars programme.
Each beat three other finalists in their respective ‘Senior’ and ‘Junior’ groups in a four-day training camp and shootout held at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters last month.
Nobels, who won the senior group for drivers born between 2006 and March 31, 2008, has been offered a paid-for drive in Italian Formula 4 with Iron Lynx and a spot in the FDA.
“I have no words to describe what I am feeling right now,” said Nobels. I am very grateful to the FIA, the FDA and the Iron Dames for this amazing opportunity. I have definitely learnt a lot and I cannot wait to start the season.”
This year Nobels raced primarily in Brazilian F4, and sits 16th in the standings with one round to go, and has also made cameos in the Danish and Spanish F4 championships. She becomes the second female member of the FDA, alongside Maya Weug.
Italo-Romanian junior karter Florescu Potolea won in the Rising Star’s junior classification for younger drivers, and her reward is a FDA-funded factory Tony Kart seat for the 2023 CIK-FIA European Karting Championship.
“Honestly I can’t believe it,” she said. “It has been an awesome experience throughout the programme in Paul Ricard and in Franciacorta. I will give my best to honour this opportunity. Thank you so much to all who make it possible.”
FIA WiM Commission president Deborah Mayer added: “I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Aurelia and Zoe for this important victory. Both impressed us with their talent, determination, and ability to progress during this thrilling finale.
“I am proud that our programme provides them with an opportunity to pursue their dream of a career in motorsport. As part of the FDA, with the support of Iron Dames, Aurelia has the best possible opportunity to try to reach the top levels of our sport. The same goes for Zoe, who will be able to count on the support of the FDA and will race for Tony Kart.”