The Japan Times - 'Proving the boys wrong': Teenage racers picked for elite driver programme

The mission of the More Than Equal project is simple and fearlessly ambitious -- to find and develop the first woman Formula One world champion.

F1 attracts legions of female fans, with the numbers turbo-charged by the behind-the-scenes Netflix show "Drive to Survive".

But there has not been a single woman on the grid since 1976 -- when Italian Lella Lombardi competed.

Florescu Potolea, recently put through her paces in an F4 car at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, is used to being the only girl on the track.

"It's nice because you're proving all of the boys wrong," the 17-year-old, with Romanian and US citizenship, told AFP.

"But on the other hand it's nice to have other people who are dreaming the same as you in a way and that they want to prove themselves as much as you."

Florescu Potolea, wearing a red helmet adorned with yellow "Zs", said it was "about time" a woman was back in F1.

"One of the biggest things is, honestly, believing that you can do it or believing that you're wanted in the sport," she added. "And to be honest I think it is very hard as women in the sport."

Florescu Potolea joins Sweden's Alexia Danielsson, Polish pair Amelia Wyszomirska and Julia Angelard and South Africa's Gianna Pascoal as the new kids on the block.

The existing cohort on the More Than Equal programme comprises Austrian Ivonn Simeonova, Lana Flack, from Australia, and Britain's Skye Parker.

- Talent search -

The project was founded by Czech entrepreneur and philanthropist Karel Komarek and former F1 driver David Coulthard.

Drivers are selected using a data-driven global talent ranking system, combined with in-depth assessments measuring driving performance, physical capability, psychological readiness and long-term development potential.

Each receives tailored technical and tactical coaching, physical and mental performance support.

"This work is about shaping what the future of the sport can and should look like, and we are proud to support the next generation of female drivers as they progress in their careers," said Britain's Coulthard.

In Spain the girls were given technical briefings and went through various warm-up exercises, including working on hand-eye coordination with tennis balls.

Danielsson was also in action in Montmelo, north of Barcelona, driving in mixed weather conditions on a track backdropped by mountains.

"Motorsport is just a male-dominated sport. And I think that many girls don't think that they belong in this sport, but they do," she said.

"When I was growing up, I didn't really have any to look up to that was female and a driver. And maybe in the future I get to be that role person."

"In ten years, my dream scenario would be racing in F1," she added. "And just living my dream life."

Tom Stanton, chief executive officer of More Than Equal, said it is exciting to build on the work already done with the first group of girls.

"This intake reflects the growing depth of female talent worldwide, strengthens our global programme, and reinforces our focus on giving talented drivers the preparation they need to progress through the ranks," he said.

M.Saito--JT