Students shine at ‘influential’ women and motorsport event

The first Monaco edition of International Women’s Sports was celebrated on Friday, January 24, at the Prince’s Car Collection with what FIA called an “influential Monaco event celebrating women in motorsport”.

The conference introduced female students in Monaco, ages 14-22, to possible careers in motorsport with World Rally Vice-Champion Michèle Mouton as the guest of honour.

Iron Dames go-karter Vicky Farfus, 13, interviewed race car driver Marta Garcia (Iron Dames and F1 Academy 2023 Champion), which was followed by a panel on roles in motorsport.

Speakers included key note speaker Delphine Biscaye (F1 Academy Competition Manager); Cathy Muller (Iron Dames Young Talents Management); Sara Mariani, (FIA sustainability, diversity and inclusion director); Laurie Clog (Formula E Partnerships & Business Development Mahindra Racing) and Liz Roberts (founder Sportsunite Monaco).

Video participation integrated a welcome from Burcu Cetinkaya, Chair of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, Ella Häkkinen Champions of the Future go-karter and Iron Dames rally driver, Sarah Rumeau, who was participating in the Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Although supported by Iron Dames and FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, this was an independent event co-organised by co-organisers Martine Ackermann (Child CARE Monaco), Valérie Closier (Director Prince’s Car Collection), Nancy Heslin (Co-founder Carob Tree Publishing) and Tiffaney Perlino (President of Women in Motorsport Commission ACM).

Students from FANB, ISM, IUM and ITM were gifted a copy of the new release 100 Years of Women: Motorsport & Monaco by Nancy Heslin and Lacey Da Costa (Carob Tree Publishing).

This groundbreaking non-for-profit book on women and motorsport introduces readers to the world’s greatest female drivers, from rally to F1, all who have raced in Monaco. Some 65 timeless stories of women written by women offer an inspiring narrative filled with glamour, adventure, and triumph, with an unprecedented chapter on the women in Monaco and their roles in motorsport.

The 240-page hardcover includes never-before-seen photos of women racing in the streets of Monaco, with a preface by Prince Albert II of Monaco and a foreword by world rally vice-champion Michèle Mouton. Iron Dames founder Deborah Mayer has written the introduction.

Following the student event, a cocktail with HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco marked the official launch of 100 Years of Women: Motorsport & Monaco.

The book retails for €50 A portion of sales will support next-gen female talent in motorsport.

Article first published January 24, 2025. All photos: Ed Wright Images.