The Women Of Ferrari’s Driver Academy
We’ve all heard the famous saying, "Everybody is a Ferrari fan”. Driving for Ferrari is the ultimate dream for any racer. Just look at Lewis Hamilton’s shock switch to Ferrari to fulfil the boyhood dream of driving in red. But, how often do we talk about the women making history at Ferrari?
It’s one thing to break into motorsport, but it’s another to stay, grow, and get the same opportunities as male drivers. That’s where the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) comes in. While the motorsport world is dominated by men, two young women are carving their place in the legendary red: Maya Weug and Aurelia Nobels.
Maya Weug
Imagine being the first-ever woman to join the Ferrari Driver Academy. That’s Maya Weug. Born in Spain to a Belgian mother and Dutch father, she grew up karting from the age of seven. By 2013, she was already competing against older boys. In 2021, she made history by winning the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars programme, a prestigious initiative created to promote women in motorsport. This win earned her a place at Ferrari, making her the first female driver in Ferrari’s history.
Before making her mark in Formula 1 Academy, Maya built a solid foundation in single-seaters through Italian Formula 4 and the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA). Competing in Italian Formula 4, one of the most competitive junior categories, she consistently scored points and proved she could hold her own against some of the best young drivers in the world. Moving up to FRECA, she faced an even stronger field but kept delivering solid performances.
She then had an impressive 2024 Formula 1 Academy season, securing her maiden victory in the final race at Yas Marina, which helped PREMA Racing clinch the Teams' Championship. Throughout the season, she displayed consistent improvement, proving her potential in the highly competitive field. For the 2025 season, Maya has transitioned to MP Motorsport while continuing her association with Ferrari.
Kicking off the new season in style, Maya claimed pole position for the Sunday race in the first round at Shanghai and secured an impressive P2 finish. With such a strong start, there’s no doubt this season holds great promise for her. Breaking barriers is never easy, and Maya continues to push through challenges, from limited female representation in motorsport to the intense physical demands of racing!
Aurelia Nobels
At the end of 2022, Ferrari welcomed another talented young woman: Aurelia Nobels. Born in Boston to Belgian parents and raised in Brazil, she holds a Brazilian racing licence and carries the spirit of a nation that breathes motorsport. She started karting early and quickly climbed the ranks. In 2022, she won the Senior category of the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars programme, earning her a spot in the Ferrari Driver Academy.
Her journey into single-seaters began in Brazilian Formula 4, where she was the only female driver on the grid in 2022. She later moved to European Formula 4, racing with ART Grand Prix in Ferrari’s signature Puma colours.
While 2024 was a learning season for Aurelia, she showed her potential, finishing 12th in the standings. For many, this may not seem spectacular, but in motorsport, experience is everything. Every lap and every setback is a step toward the ultimate goal. Her racing journey for 2025 continues as she embarks on her second season representing Formula 1 Academy with the official partner PUMA.
Having women in racing isn’t just about diversity, it’s about fairness. Talent knows no gender. Yet, for decades, motorsport has been an uphill climb for women due to lack of funding, fewer opportunities, and outdated perceptions. Programmes like the Ferrari Driver Academy and the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars are so important in breaking this cycle. They give young female drivers the resources and professional training they need to not just enter motorsport but stay and succeed.
Maya and Aurelia aren’t just racing for themselves. They’re inspiring a generation of young girls to believe that the red suit isn’t just for Leclerc or Hamilton—it can be for them too. So, next time the internet turns red over Ferrari’s Formula 1 drama, remember these two names. Because history is being made with women too.
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