Tell us about the Girls on Track program

FIA Girls on Track is a national, not-for-profit program delivered by Motorsport Australia that aims to inspire and empower women across every dimension of motorsport. Free events are offered to girls and young women aged 8–22 through 3 core pillars: Inspire (ages 8–15), which introduces schoolgirls to motorsport through hands-on STEM activities at live race events; Pathways (ages 15–22), which immerses young women in professional race weekend environments, connecting them with industry mentors and exposing them to the breadth of careers available, from engineering and officiating to media and team management; and Empower (ages 18–22), launched in 2025, which facilitates structured work experience placements to create a direct career entry point into the sport.

What challenge or issue is this program trying to address? 

Motorsport, like many technical and performance industries, has historically been difficult for young women to break into. Without clear entry points, visible role models, or access to professional networks, many talented women simply don't see a pathway in. The broader perception that motorsport is primarily about driving has also obscured the enormous range of careers the industry actually offers. Girls on Track exists to close that gap, making the industry visible, accessible, and welcoming to the next generation of women.

How are you addressing it?

The program works across multiple levels. At the youngest age group, Inspire uses motorsport as a vehicle for STEM engagement, planting early seeds of interest in technical careers. Pathways go deeper, placing young women inside real race weekend environments where they can meet and learn from working professionals across engineering, logistics, operations, communications, and more. The newest pillar, Empower, takes this further still, embedding selected participants in actual working roles across major events. At the 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, 20 young women were placed across high-performance engineering, race preparation, team operations, and event delivery; not as observers, but as contributors. The result was tangible: participants who arrived nervous left with confidence, industry connections, and a credible first step into the workforce. 

What is the impact of this program? 

The scale and outcomes are growing rapidly. In 2025 alone, over 1,000 young women participated in Girls on Track programs nationally. Alumni have gone on to secure roles in Supercars teams, Ferrari Challenge Australia, Red Bull Racing, and Red Bull Technology. Critically, the skills and career pathways the program highlights, engineering, logistics, operations, media, officiating, are directly transferable beyond motorsport into automotive, mining, and a wide range of other industries. The program is proving that creating access changes outcomes.

Are there any future changes or programs you'd like to talk about? 

In 2026, the program is scaling significantly, with 11 national Inspire and Pathways events planned alongside 12 Empower initiatives. The momentum is real. The focus now is on deepening the quality of those industry placements, expanding the mentoring relationships participants can access, and continuing to demonstrate to employers across motorsport and adjacent industries that these young women are work-ready. The long-term ambition is a pipeline, not just inspiring interest, but systematically converting that interest into careers. 

Help us inspire future talent!

Share your automotive journey with us and help bring real career pathways to life. Your story can inspire future talent and showcase the skills and opportunities driving the industry forward.

Contact us at research@ausmasa.org.au.