With the “Beyond Rally Women's Driver Development Program”, the promoter of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) has set itself the goal of specifically promoting female participants in the international rally scene. National federations around the world were called upon to nominate candidates who will compete against each other in a selection test in Poland from September 16 to 18. The three best candidates will get a start in the Central European Rally in October and have the chance to win a cockpit for the 2025 Junior World Championship.

Particularly pleasing: Among the 15 finalists from 13 nations are four female drivers from the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe”.

Lyssia Baudet (21, Belgium) is specifically supported by the Royal Belgian Automobile Racing Federation RACB and has already proven several times this season that she is one of the fastest in the world's first electric one-make rally cup. After a bit of bad luck at the start of the season, the Belgian has two fourth places in a row and is currently sixth in the overall standings.

Emma Chalvin (23, France) is part of the FFSA Academy and therefore an ambassador for the French motorsport association. In fifth place overall, she is currently the best-placed lady in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup. She has also twice finished fourth in a Cup round, although she was credited with points for third place at the Vosges Grand-Est Rally due to a guest driver finishing ahead of her.

Ann Felke (22, Germany) has plenty of international experience as a co-driver despite her young age. Last year, the Saarbrücken resident switched from the right to the left seat of a rally car several times. She made her debut in the ADAC Opel Electric Rallye Cup at the season opener in Sulingen and will also be on the grid at the next Cup round as part of the Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine.

Claire Schönborn (25, Germany) is a real career changer. Originally coming from slalom racing and winning the slalom classification for Team Germany at the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games, the driver from Löffelscheid is now very successful in hill climbs. She recently made a strong rally debut in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup as part of the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg.

Opel Head of Motorsport Jörg Schrott is delighted that four female drivers from the Corsa cockpits will be taking part in the WRC final: “High diversity has always been a trademark and quality feature of our brand cup. This season we had up to five female drivers in the field for a round of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup. The fact that our Cup experienced drivers Lyssia, Emma, Ann and Claire have made it to the finals in the WRC selection is a great thing and testifies to the high level of driving class in the Cup. Of course, we're keeping our fingers crossed for our four ladies for the shootout in Poland.”