As Melbourne revs up for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, more women are in position for a successful career in motorsport, backed by a $240,000 investment from the Albanese Government.
Motorsport Australia's Girls on Track program provides mentoring, networking and hands-on opportunities for young women and girls aged 8 to 22 years old interested in the industry.
Minister for Sport Anika Wells today met program participants, who have been undertaking work experience across technical, corporate, communications and commercial roles during the event, to see firsthand the positive impact of the program.
This week, 20 participants have enjoyed behind-the-scenes experiences in team operations, including high performance engineering environments and race preparation as well as exposure to event delivery, communications and stakeholder engagement processes.
In 2025, more than 1,000 young women participated in the Girls on Track program across the country, strengthening industry pipelines and career pathways, and creating meaningful development opportunities for young women in motorsport.
A team of advocates working in the industry support these unique opportunities, from team owners to engineers, physiotherapists to officials - all women with expertise in their fields who are passionate about elevating inclusion in sport.
Funding for Girls on Track has been delivered by the Australian Sports Commission's Play Well program, which supports the creation of great sporting environments where people of all ages, backgrounds, genders and abilities can come together to access the benefits of sport.
A further $12,000 in Play Well funding supports Motorsport Australia's Women's Introduction to Motorsport program, which enables women to experience the sport for the first time from the familiarity of their own car.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:
"The Albanese Government is proud to support programs that create career pathways and opportunities for more young women in motorsport.
"It's been fantastic to meet with people today who are benefitting from hands-on experience and valuable exposure to motorsport - making a meaningful difference to their career trajectories.
"I can't wait to see more women on the track, behind the wheel and behind the scenes of the F1 and other great motorsport events."
Quotes attributable to CEO of Motorsport Australia Josh Blanksby:
"The Girls on Track Program is a cornerstone of Motorsport Australia's participation pathways, providing young women with meaningful opportunities to explore careers in motorsport with a strong emphasis on STEM-related fields.
"Support from the Australian Government has been instrumental in expanding the program's national reach. This continued investment ensures we can transform passion and potential into tangible career pathways for young women right across Australia.
"At this year's Australian Grand Prix, 20 Girls on Track participants are undertaking structured workplace placements throughout the event, gaining invaluable hands-on experience that will deliver lasting benefits as they pursue careers in motorsport."
