Applications open for girls
Global independent motorsport initiative, More than Equal, has announced it is accepting public applications for its inaugural female driver development programme.
Applications for the More than Equal Driver Development Programme’s 2024 cohort may be submitted online through the More than Equal website until January 31. Selection criteria include current performance, driving history, age and development stage. Shortlisted applications will be invited for further assessment including an interview stage, giving drivers and those who support them the opportunity to meet the coaching team and ask any questions.
The More than Equal Driver Development Programme is a high-performance preparation programme that supports young, talented female drivers who have the potential to develop into elite racing drivers. An in-house team of experienced driving coaches, in collaboration with leading evidence-based coaching group Hintsa Performance, will provide a bespoke programme of technical and tactical coaching, alongside physical preparation and personal development.
The pioneering global driver development programme will coach, mentor and support girls with elite driving potential through a tailored programme that is both gender and age appropriate.
Hintsa Performance has an extensive track record of supporting top athletes and contributed to the success of 18 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championships.
Over the past eleven seasons, 96 per cent of all Formula 1 races have been won by a Hintsa-supported driver.
Alongside public applications, More than Equal is conducting a firstof-its-kind, data-driven global talent search in collaboration with data and technology firm, Smedley Group. Founded by ex-scuderia Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley, Smedley Group boasts a rich motorsport heritage and leverages state-of-the-art F1 technology to tackle challenges and unearth tomorrow’s superstars.
In this initiative, a significant portion of the first cohort will be identified through a sophisticated talent scouting process from the Global Karting League, an innovative project initiated by Smedley Group that is transforming karting by slashing traditional costs by up to 96 per cent.
Ali Donnelly, CEO at More than Equal, said: “No woman has raced competitively in Formula 1 in close to 50 years, and very few women are racing at the elite level of any motorsport series currently. In order to enact lasting structural change, we need to do things differently. For us, that means investing in and developing female drivers early in their careers, and we are thrilled to be taking the first steps towards that by launching our femalededicated programme in 2024.”
Former British Cycling head of performance pathways Tom Stanton, now head of driver development at More Than Equal, added: “Our programme is designed to support and enhance the development of female drivers in three key areas: as a driver, as an athlete and as a person.
“I’m excited to be working with Smedley Group and Hintsa Performance to maximise the potential of talented drivers, making them the winners of the future.”