The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has today announced that the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission will support two young female drivers to compete in this season’s FIA Karting Academy Trophy. 

Emma-Rose Dowling will race in the OK-Junior category (12–14-year-olds), while Eva Dorrestijn will race in the all-new senior age group (14 – 16-year-olds). The senior age group has been newly established this year, and the WiM Commission has expanded its support to this bracket to further encourage young drivers on their journey towards professional competition. 

The competition is a major opportunity for any aspiring race driver – with former competitors including F1 stars Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Esteban Ocon.  

Dowling and Dorrestijn will have access to mentorship and support from WiM Commission members, as well as the opportunity to have their results shared with an established global Commission.  

Originally from South Africa, Emma-Rose Dowling is currently Championship leader for the Junior Max Rotax Series Championship in SA, and a competitor in the Champions of the Future Series (OK-N Category). She previously competed in Mini Max (Rotax Series) and Mini ROK (ROK Series), where she scored 15 podiums and 8 wins. Emma-Rose has been an integral member of the Toyota Gazoo Junior Racing Academy since 2022, and in July 2024, she was the only South African to be nominated to attend the Iron Dames Young Talents selection process. 

Meanwhile, Eva Dorrestijn is a 15-year-old Dutch driver.  In 2024, she placed 8th in the IAME Series Benelux, and was named IAME Benelux Best Lady. In 2023, she was a finalist for FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars, the FIA’s female talent development programme which propelled Maya Weug, Aurelia Nobels, Alba Hurup Larsen and Doriane Pin, among others, to professional careers.  

The FIA Karting Academy Trophy season will start with senior races at the Kartodromo International do Algarve, Portimao, in May, followed by junior races in Valencia later that month. 

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, commented: “The FIA is committed to creating opportunities for female drivers at every level – from grassroots to professional competition. Building an inclusive environment is essential to the long-term success of motorsport. Initiatives like these help us to find, promote, and champion the very best talent - and ensure that our sport continues to grow in accessibility, offering the opportunity to young people from a range of backgrounds, and allowing us the opportunity to nurture their talent and achieve recognition.”  

Burcu Cetinkaya, FIA Women in Motorsport Commission Chair, said: “I'm truly excited to be celebrating these young drivers, and the Women in Motorsport Commission is eager to support them in building their stellar karting careers through to even greater professional opportunities. The Commission was impressed with the level of talent displayed in the selection process, so both drivers deserve real congratulations for this achievement. We look forward to following their progress.”