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15-year-old South African selected for elite F1 female driver programme

The Star

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January 15, 2026

SOUTH Africa’s growing presence in international motorsport received another boost this week with the inclusion of 15-year old Gianna Pascoal in a global high-performance driver development programme aimed at producing the first female Formula 1 world champion.

- WILLEM VAN DE PUTTE

15-year-old South African selected for elite F1 female driver programme

GIANNA Pascoal (second left) has been selected as one of five new drivers to join the More Than Equal Driver Development Programme.

(Supplied)

Pascoal has been selected as one of five new drivers to join the More Than Equal Driver Development Programme, a data-driven initiative that identifies and nurtures elite female racing talent from around the world.

She is recognised as one of the country's most promising young drivers, recently making history as the first female driver from South Africa to secure a seat in the FIA Karting Academy (Senior).

Her selection follows an extensive global talent identification process that assesses drivers across performance metrics, physical capability, psychological readiness and long-term development potential.

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