13-year-old Mumbai racer gets selected for ‘Girls on Track’ project

A great moment for women in Indian motorsport as Mumbai’s rising racing star Aashi Hanspal has been shortlisted for FIA’s ambitious “Girls on Track: Rising Stars Project”, the Federation of Motor Sports Club of India (FMSCI) announced.

The 13-year-old has been selected along with 19 others in the age group of 12-16 out of 70 entries from five continents. First, she will take part in the ‘Shoot Out’ at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France on 12-13 October.

Coached by eight-time national car-racing champion Rayomand Banajee at the Rayo Racing Academy in Mumbai, Aashi recorded five podium finishes in her maiden national karting season last year and was conferred the “Outstanding Women in Motorsports” award by FMSCI for her podium placings.

“Should you be successful, you will join our training camps, and potentially have the opportunity to become (Team Ferrari’s) first-ever female driver obtaining a partnership agreement with the Ferrari Driver Academy, including participation in FIA Formula 4 racing season,” Michele Mouton, president of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, said in her letter to Aashi.

Sita Raina, chairperson of FMSCI’s own Women in Motorsports Commission, said, “Aashi has shown her mettle during the last season and has the potential to become a future star.”

“The dates have been chosen to enable the shortlisted girls to travel from different parts of the world, despite the current travel restrictions due to the coronavirus crisis,” said Michele.