WRC Promoter has selected 15 female drivers for the next step of its Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme who will now attend a three-day training camp to compete for a 2025 Junior WRC prize drive.
Launched earlier this year, the Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Program aims to boost female participation in the World Rally Championship by offering one driver a season in next year’s Junior WRC behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta Rally3.
After receiving global interest from the initial application process, 15 drivers have now been selected to attend a training camp at M-Sport Poland in Kraków on September 16-18, where they will be tested on their driving ability, media skills, mechanical knowledge and preparation.
A panel of judges will pick three from those 15 to compete in October’s Central European Rally in Fiesta Rally3s, where only one will be chosen for the Junior WRC prize drive.
“We were completely overwhelmed by the number and quality of applicants,” said Peter Thul, WRC Promoter senior director of sport.
One female driver will compete in the 2025 Junior WRC in a Ford Fiesta Rally3
“Selecting the final 15 was an incredibly challenging task and there were some difficult calls to make.
“We do not want any of the unlucky candidates to be discouraged and we do hope they will apply again in the future as we are absolutely committed to this programme for multiple years. We are now excited to focus on next month’s training camp.”
Who are the 15 finalists?
Hanna Lisette Aabna – Estonia
Lyssia Baudet – Belgium
Emma Chalvin – France
Ann Felke – Germany
Joanna Hassoun – Lebanon
Mako Hirakawa – Japan
Hannah Jakobsson – Sweden
Suvi Jyrkiäinen – Finland
Luz Marina – Spain
Nuria Pons – Spain
Aoife Raftery – Ireland
Claire Schönborn – Germany
Madelyn Tabor – USA
Alexandra Teslovan – Romania
Dorka Zagyva – Hungary
