Bristol-Based Racer on Track for Motorsport Success

Young female racing driver and Kingswood local Ella Stevens has been selected by the governing body of world motorsport, the FIA, and Ferrari’s Driver Academy, in the search for Ferrari’s first-ever female racing professionals.

Ella has been chosen as part of an exciting and innovative talent detection programme by the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission and its first major partner, Scuderia Ferrari. The programme reviewed hundreds of FIA Girls on Track - Rising Stars applications to make the best possible decision about who should take part in the programme, planned for October. As a part of the long-term pathway to support young female racing drivers, Ella, 13, will compete against 19 other young female aged between 12 to 16 from around the world to try to win a place as one of two drivers accepted on a four-year programme, with the ultimate aim of joining Ferrari for an FIA Formula 4 Championship season.

During the autumn months, the drivers will be put through a series of intense training programmes and tests, starting with a shoot-out style race on the famous Circuit de Paul Ricard in France where the best 12 drivers will progress to the next round. If Ella is successful at each of the four training stages, she will then be asked to join Ferrari’s prestigious driver training programme in Italy, of which current F1 driver and 2017 F2 Championship winner Charles Leclerc is an alumnus.

Ferrari will provide the two finalists with a holistic programme of learning and development that comprises workshops on how to improve driving, sporting and technical knowledge, and communications, all of which are vital to a driver’s success.

Ella said: “It’s amazing to be chosen as one of the final 20 individuals from across the world to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m really looking forward to the first phase of testing and I will work as hard as I can to progress my dream of becoming a professional racing driver.”

Notwithstanding her young age, Ella is no stranger to success. She has multiple round wins and a wealth of experience behind the wheel of a go kart. Ella was also crowned as 2017’s BirelART UK Cadet Champion and 2018’s LGM Privateer Champion.

Katie Baldwin, Competitors Pathway Manager for Motorsport UK, the national governing body for four-wheeled motorsport, said: “Ella already has an impressive racing CV and shows great potential to reach her ambition of competing at the highest level in Motorsport.  She is on a positive development trajectory and she’ll certainly be one to watch as we move through this initiative.”

Hugh Chambers, Chief Executive Officer of Motorsport UK, commented: “It is fantastic to see two such strong contenders from the UK competing for this opportunity to develop alongside some of motorsport’s best talent.

“At Motorsport UK, we believe that ours is one of the only sports where male and females can compete on an even playing field. That is why we have aimed to be at the forefront of driving female talent and we actively encourage female participation in any capacity, from getting behind the wheel to pursuing STEM careers, and are proud to see an increase in female licence holders every year.”

Motorsport UK wishes Ella the very best of luck during the programme and will be following and promoting her progress.