More than Equal, the organization dedicated to discovering the first female Formula 1 world champion, took a significant step towards achieving this goal. On Tuesday, they announced their initial group of drivers for a women-focused driver development program. The selected drivers, aged 13 to 14, come from various countries around the world. Ivonn Simeonova from Austria, Katrina Thung from Malaysia, Kristýna Kalistová from the Czech Republic, Lana Flack from Australia, Laura Bubenová from Slovakia, and Skye Parker from the United Kingdom make up the group of drivers. Additionally, four female drivers under 13 from Italy, Japan, Poland, and the United Kingdom were chosen for the More than Equal Driver Preparation Program. These young women have shown great potential, but need appropriate further development for their age before advancing in the More than Equal program. In January, More than Equal opened applications and conducted a talent search using data-driven methods. Successful candidates were chosen by program head Tom Stanton, along with coaches Sarah Moore and Jordan King. More than Equal’s research revealed that only 13% of karting participants are women, with even lower participation rates of 7% in formula and GT races. One of the reasons for this gender imbalance is the lack of training methods specifically designed for women. More than Equal aims to change that.
Ali Donnelly, CEO of More than Equal, stated: “This marks the beginning of a new chapter for this collective and our initiative, and together we intend to demonstrate that, with the right assistance at the beginning of their careers, we can accelerate the progress of talented female drivers so they have an equal chance to excel in the sport.”
“Our female pilots will reap the benefits of a program that has been specially tailored to meet the needs of female athletes from the start, unlike the current scenario where girls often have to navigate through programs and systems in motorsport that were primarily designed for boys. Our program will be highly relevant to female teenagers, incorporating the latest advances in sports science tailored to their age and gender.”
Karel Komárek, co-founder of More Than Equal, added: “By providing support to emerging talents during a crucial phase of their development, through top-notch training, resources, and an evidence-based approach, this program builds on our commitment to equal opportunities and the elimination of obstacles that have hindered women in motorsport for decades.”
Kormárek co-founded More Than Equal alongside 13-time Grand Prix champion David Coulthard, who expressed: “We are delighted and proud to usher in a new era for young female drivers in motorsport with the introduction of the More Than Equal Driver Development Program.
“This group of talented young drivers will now be part of a program designed specifically with their age and gender in mind, with specialized coaches supporting their journey and helping them reach their full potential.
“This is an incredibly exciting moment.”
The program launch will see the initial group of drivers heading to the Wurz Testing and Training Center in Saalfeden, Austria.
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A new world record was set yesterday at the city’s football stadium. Local athlete João Silva won the gold medal in the speed event, completing the race in an impressive 9.58 seconds. This mark surpasses the previous record by 0.11 seconds and puts João Silva at the top of the athletics world.
The crowd at the stadium was ecstatic to witness this historic achievement. João Silva, who trained intensively in the past few months, showed exceptional performance throughout the race. His speed and agility impressed everyone, leaving the spectators in awe.
At only 23 years old, João Silva is already considered one of the greatest talents in the sport. His determination and dedication are admired by athletes worldwide. After the race, he expressed gratitude to his fans and promised to continue training hard to achieve new records.
The future looks promising for João Silva. With his talent and determination, he has the potential to become one of the greatest athletes of all time. His recent achievement certainly puts him on the radar of international competitions and opens doors for sponsorships and career opportunities.
The city is proud of João Silva and celebrates this historic victory. The mayor has already announced that a statue in honor of the athlete will be built in the city center. In addition, João will be welcomed with a grand party next week, where he will be honored for his achievement.
João Silva is an example of overcoming challenges and determination. His story inspires young athletes to pursue their dreams and never give up. With his world record, he proved that anything is possible when one believes and dedicates themselves fully. The future of Brazilian athletics is in the hands of João Silva, and everyone is eager to see what he will achieve next.
