In 2019 Maja Weug and Julia Ayoub were able to participate in a full FIA Karting season with the Birel ART Racing Team thanks to the support of Richard Mille watches. After selecting a young Driver to make his debut in F4, the Richard Mille Young Talent Academy continued its approach with female kart drivers. On the Lonato circuit, six girls aged 13 to 17 were evaluated in December 2018. Brazilian Julia Yacoub was chosen in the Junior category and Hispano-Dutch Driver Maya Weug in the OK category. A year later, the time has come for a review.

Maya Weug

“It was a good first season in OK, I learned a lot despite the very high standard of racing. I was able to drive fast, but not always to manage the Qualifying Practices well enough, which didn't make it any easier in the heats. At this stage, the risk of a racing incident was therefore higher and my good performances were not always rewarded. It wasn't easy to be consistent. In Angerville, I set a good time and managed to finish in the top three of the heats twice. I qualified for the Final, but a collision between several karts eliminated me at the start.”

"What Richard Mille is doing for young Drivers is absolutely fantastic.”

“I would like to be able to continue for a year in karting in the OK category, but F4 is also tempting me. I'm going to try the single-seater at the end of the year, because I'm lucky enough to have been selected to participate in the Richard Mille Young Talent Academy which takes place in FIA French F4 cars. What Richard Mille is doing for young drivers is absolutely fantastic. I thank him very much for his support!”

Julia Ayoub

"Having the opportunity to compete in Europe for a whole season was a dream for me.”

“This year I discovered the OK-Junior category and international competition at the same time. So it wasn't easy at all. I would like to thank the Birel ART team for their excellent work. I learned a lot, it was incredible for me to have the chance to come and race in Europe. Racing is very difficult for everyone at this level, it doesn't make any difference if I am a girl. I am convinced that we all have the same potential to succeed. I have progressed well throughout the races. This was seen during the last round of the European Championship in Le Mans and even more so during the World Championship in Finland. I am very proud to have set the 30th time out of 104 drivers in Alahärmä.

“I dream of racing a single-seater later, but before that I would like to continue to enrich my karting experience in the OK category, because I am aware that I still have to improve. I would like to thank Richard Mille for giving me this wonderful opportunity.”