The FIA Girls on Track initiative, a key collaboration between Formula E and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), successfully empowered 160 young women with specialized motorsports and STEM experiences during the 2026 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Jeddah. Held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on February 14, the program offered participants engineering workshops, interactive gaming, and exclusive pit lane tours, with selected trainees joining the victory podium ceremonies for Rounds 4 and 5. The initiative, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), underscores the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to fostering talent and promoting inclusivity in global sports and technology sectors.
Context and Background
The FIA Girls on Track program is an international initiative designed to inspire and support young women pursuing careers in motorsports, engineering, and related STEM fields. Its integration into the Saudi Arabian Formula E race weekend, organized in partnership with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, reflects a strategic alignment with national development goals. The Kingdom has consistently used its hosting of major international sporting events, such as the Formula E championship and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, as platforms for social and economic development, creating pathways for its youth to engage with global industries.
Key Program Details
According to official information, the 2026 edition provided 160 participants with a comprehensive, hands-on experience. The curriculum included specialized engineering workshops that offered practical insights into the technology powering Formula E cars. Interactive gaming simulations allowed the young women to experience the strategic elements of motorsports in a virtual environment. A highlight for many was the exclusive access to the pit lane and garage areas, providing a rare behind-the-scenes look at the operational intensity of a world championship event. The most distinctive feature this year was the selection of trainees to participate in the official victory podium ceremonies, offering them a direct experience on the global sporting stage.
Implications and Impact
The program’s impact extends beyond a single event, serving as a catalyst for long-term career development in fields where women have been historically underrepresented. By providing direct access to role models, engineers, and industry professionals, the initiative helps demystify career paths in motorsports and STEM. For the Kingdom, hosting and actively shaping such programs reinforces its position as a forward-thinking nation that leverages international partnerships for national capacity building. It also enhances Saudi Arabia’s soft power, demonstrating a commitment to progressive social initiatives within the framework of its cultural values to an international audience.
Vision 2030 Alignment
This initiative is a direct manifestation of the empowerment and youth development pillars within Saudi Vision 2030. By creating tangible opportunities for young Saudi women in high-tech, international industries like motorsports, the Kingdom is actively working to diversify its economy and nurture a skilled, competitive workforce. Programs like FIA Girls on Track directly contribute to bridging the gender gap in strategic sectors, aligning with Vision 2030’s goals of increasing women’s participation in the workforce. The collaboration between SAMF and an international body like the FIA exemplifies the type of global partnership that Vision 2030 encourages, using world-class events to build local talent and showcase Saudi Arabia’s evolving role on the world stage.
20 Questions and Answers
Q1: What was the name of the initiative discussed in the article?
A1: The initiative is called FIA Girls on Track. It is a collaborative program between Formula E and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) designed to promote inclusivity and career development for young women.
Q2: How many young women participated in the 2026 Jeddah event?
A2: A total of 160 young women participated in the FIA Girls on Track initiative during the 2026 Formula E event in Jeddah. They took part in various specialized activities over the race weekend.
Q3: Where did the event take place?
A3: The event was held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia. This circuit hosts the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race in the Kingdom.
Q4: On what date did this event occur?
A4: The event took place on February 14, 2026. This was during the race weekend for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Q5: Which Saudi organization partnered with Formula E for this program?
A5: The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) was the local partner for the FIA Girls on Track initiative. SAMF works to develop motorsports in the Kingdom.
Q6: What were the three main types of activities offered to participants?
A6: Participants engaged in specialized engineering workshops, interactive gaming experiences, and exclusive pit lane tours. These activities provided hands-on and observational learning.
Q7: What unique opportunity was offered to selected trainees this year?
A7: Selected trainees were given the opportunity to join the victory podium ceremonies for Rounds 4 and 5 of the championship. This provided them with direct experience on the global sporting stage.
Q8: What is the broader goal of the FIA Girls on Track program?
A8: The program aims to promote inclusivity and career development for young women, specifically in motorsports and related STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) sectors. It inspires them to pursue these careers.
Q9: Which Saudi national vision does this initiative support?
A9: The initiative directly supports Saudi Vision 2030. It aligns with the vision’s goals of empowering national talent, increasing women’s participation in the workforce, and diversifying the economy.
Q10: How does the article describe the Kingdom’s commitment through this program?
A10: The article states the program reinforces the Kingdom’s commitment to empower national talent and bridge the gender gap in motorsports and STEM. It is part of a strategic national effort.
Q11: What was the source of the information for this article?
A11: The factual information was reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The article is based on the official news release from this recognized Saudi news authority.
Q12: What major sporting championship hosted this initiative?
A12: The initiative was part of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship event in Jeddah. Formula E is a fully electric international single-seater motorsport championship.
Q13: What does the engineering workshop component provide?
A13: The engineering workshops provided participants with specialized, practical insights into the technology used in Formula E cars. They offered hands-on experience relevant to STEM fields.
Q14: How does hosting such programs benefit Saudi Arabia internationally?
A14: Hosting such programs enhances Saudi Arabia’s soft power and demonstrates its commitment to progressive social initiatives. It shows the Kingdom as a forward-thinking nation that builds global partnerships for development.
Q15: What long-term impact is the program designed to have?
A15: The program is designed to be a catalyst for long-term career development. It aims to inspire young women to pursue careers in motorsports and STEM, fields where they are underrepresented.
Q16: How does the program provide access to industry professionals?
A16: Through activities like pit lane tours and workshops, participants gain direct access to role models, engineers, and professionals working in the motorsports industry. This demystifies potential career paths.
Q17: What does the article say about Saudi Arabia’s use of major sporting events?
A17: The article states the Kingdom uses hosting major international sporting events as platforms for social and economic development. These events create pathways for Saudi youth to engage with global industries.
Q18: Which pillar of Vision 2030 does this initiative most directly support?
A18: It most directly supports the empowerment and youth development pillars of Vision 2030. The initiative focuses on creating opportunities and building a skilled, competitive future workforce.
Q19: What is the significance of the partnership between SAMF and the FIA?
A19: The partnership exemplifies the type of global collaboration encouraged by Vision 2030. It uses a world-class international event to build local talent and showcase Saudi Arabia’s evolving global role.
Q20: What is the overall tone of the article regarding Saudi Arabia’s role?
A20: The article maintains a positive, forward-looking tone. It frames Saudi Arabia’s role as that of a committed nation strategically using international events and partnerships to achieve its national development goals under Vision 2030.