Imagine a 12-year-old girl gripping the wheel of a go-kart, eyes locked on the track ahead, dreaming of conquering the world of motorsport—today, that dream just got a massive boost for one young talent. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the powerhouse organization overseeing global motorsport and mobility efforts around the world, has just revealed the standout winner of the 2025 FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars Junior program after a grueling, talent-packed selection battle that left everyone buzzing.
Meet Alana Gurney, a spirited 12-year-old from Australia who's now officially crowned this year's Junior Champion. Picture this: Alana hopped into her very first go-kart at just four years old, and by the time she was a bit older, she was already tearing up the circuits. For those new to racing, go-karting is like the entry-level thrill ride of motorsport—small, zippy vehicles that teach the basics of speed, control, and strategy. Alana's early start has paid off big time; she's snagged multiple podium finishes in Australia's national karting championships, proving she's got the grit to go far. What sealed the deal for her as the winner? Her rock-solid consistency in races, a maturity beyond her years, and that rare knack for soaking up lessons quickly, whether she's dodging corners on the track or handling high-stakes moments off it.
This marks the fifth year of the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars initiative, a game-changer designed to spot promising young female racers, nurture their skills, and catapult them toward the spotlight in a sport that's historically been male-dominated. And get this: the 2025 edition drew a whopping 82 applicants from all five of the FIA's global regions, showing just how this program is igniting passion and participation worldwide. It's not just numbers—it's a sign that more girls are revving up to challenge the status quo in racing.
Out of that impressive pool, nine talented drivers between 11 and 14 years old made it to the final showdown: an intensive evaluation camp. Here, they faced a lineup of tough challenges that tested everything from their on-track speed and precision—think navigating tight turns at high speeds—to their grasp of technical details like vehicle mechanics, their physical fitness for enduring long races, and even personal growth aspects like teamwork and mental resilience. For beginners, this is like a motorsport boot camp, blending raw driving talent with the smarts and stamina needed to survive in professional circles.
After all the dust settled from these evaluations, the expert judges huddled up to pick the top star from what they called one of the most formidable groups yet. But here's the heartwarming part most people miss: every single finalist gets ongoing mentorship and resources to chase their racing dreams, ensuring no talent slips through the cracks.
And this is the part most people miss... the 2025 program shone a light on how teamwork between the FIA and its allies is key to shaking up the sport. For the second year running, Italy's ACI Scuola Federale brought their top-notch know-how in classroom theory—like aerodynamics and race strategy—and hands-on track drills. Pirelli, the tire giant, kept everyone rolling with their high-performance rubber, essential for grip and safety on the circuit. Meanwhile, OMP stepped up with all the gear, from helmets to suits, making sure the young racers looked and felt the part.
At its core, the FIA is all in on empowering young women in motorsport, and this Rising Stars program acts as a crucial starting point at the grassroots level. It breaks down old barriers—like limited access to training or sponsorships—and paves smoother roads for the next wave of driven (pun intended) talents. By teaming up with like-minded partners, it's creating real opportunities that could redefine who's behind the wheel in the future.
Alessandra Malhamé, the FIA's Senior Director for People, Workplace, and Diversity & Inclusion, shared her excitement: “A huge congratulations to Alana for displaying such incredible skill, drive, and promise in claiming the Junior title for this year's FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars. This program is genuinely paving the way for the upcoming generation of women drivers to carve out their spots in motorsport, and we're thrilled to track their progress and cheer on their victories moving forward.”
Burcu Cetinkaya, who chairs the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, added her thoughts: “I'm absolutely thrilled by the fierce competition we saw this year. The Rising Stars has long been a pivotal stepping stone for budding drivers, and I have no doubt it'll prove the same for this outstanding bunch. We're overjoyed the program is back stronger than ever, and our dedication to guiding every participant remains unwavering. Sure, we're toasting one official champion today, but every girl who joined showed star quality—they're all champions to us, and we'll keep cheering them on as they accelerate through the sport.”
Finally, the winner herself, Alana Gurney, couldn't hide her joy: “I'm over the moon to have made it into the FIA Women in Motorsport Rising Stars camp. I picked up tons of valuable insights during the program and got to connect with other driven young racers just like me. Being picked as the winner is an absolute honor, and I'm buzzing with anticipation for what's next. A massive thank you to the FIA and all the folks who made this incredible event happen.”
But here's where it gets controversial: While programs like this are celebrated for boosting female participation, some argue they might unintentionally highlight gender divides in a sport that should be about pure talent alone—what do you think? Does targeting girls specifically help level the playing field, or should we push for fully integrated training from the start? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're team 'necessary boost' or 'talent over everything'—let's spark a real discussion!
