Do you have what it takes to be a Rising Star? Motorsport UK are looking to find the next female talent to represent the nation in the FIA Girls on Track 2023 Rising Stars programme, an international talent detection initiative to find champions of the future.

Launched in 2020, Rising Stars is open to two dedicated groups of promising female karting competitors between 12 and 16 years old as the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission seeks 16 drivers to take through training camps where their ability will be assessed.

Eight drivers will feature in each group – Junior (12-14 years old) and Senior (14-16), and the best talent will be offered career support, driver development opportunities and, for the top Senior driver, the potential to join the Ferrari Driver Academy and race Formula 4 for the all-female Iron Dames team in 2024.

Current F1 Academy drivers Chloe Grant (also a Girls on Track UK Ambassador and Motorsport UK Academy member) and Chloe Chong were in the final four last year, solidifying the success of the programme.

How to apply

Full eligibility criteria for the two groups, Junior and Senior, are as follows:

JUNIOR – between 12-14 years old (31/12/2011) to (31/05/2009)

SENIOR – between 14 -16 (31/05/2009) to (31/12/2007)

Applicants must have evidence of national and international karting experience and evidence of the potential to progress. They must also hold a valid Motorsport UK Competition Licence, a valid UK passport and must not be participating in any non-licenced championships in 2022.

Following the Monday 3 July closing date, all applications will be reviewed by Motorsport UK and the shortlisted karters will be nominated to the FIA for consideration.

By applying, competitors agree to organising and funding their own travel and accommodation requirements for each stage of the programme should they be successful in selection.

The application form can be found here. Any questions about the application should be directed to academy@motorsportuk.org or 01753 765000.

The training camps

Taking place at the Franciacorta circuit in Italy, east of Milan, the Junior and Senior camps will be back-to-back on 4/5 September and 6/7 September respectively. The camps are run in collaboration with ACI Scuola Federale – the Driving School of the Italian Federation.

The top four Senior contenders will be invited to Maranello, the home of Ferrari, for a final camp at their Fiorano test track. The rigorous programme will include physical and mental tests, technical workshops, media activities and simulator training, ahead of two days of F4 running at the circuit observed closely by experts from the Ferrari Driver Academy.

Additionally, the most promising Junior will be given the opportunity to participate in a full season of an international karting series in 2024.