A Quiet Kind of Power: Dariana Mateut on Mentoring From Both Sides

Mentor Spotlight

Dariana takes part in the FIA Women in Motorsport mentorship program as both a mentor and a mentee.

As a Mentor: A Natural Extension of Teaching

Dariana describes mentoring as an outgrowth of something already central to who she is. "I've always been a teacher at heart. My professional background naturally led me towards roles that involve guiding, supporting, and sharing knowledge, so stepping into mentorship felt like a very organic extension of that."

What she values most is the connection that forms across very different backgrounds. "What I find most rewarding is the opportunity to connect with wonderful women from all over the world, each with their own unique story, yet united by a shared passion for motorsport. Despite coming from different countries, cultures, and even continents, that common love for racing creates a bond that goes far beyond the professional and it often blossoms into genuine friendship."

She connects that experience back to why mentorship matters in the first place. "It reminds me why mentorship matters, not just for career development, but for building a global community rooted in support and shared dreams."

Moments That Stayed With Her

When asked about a specific moment from her mentorship journey, Dariana points to three. With her first mentee, the two connected deeply enough to launch a Motorsport Mental Health project together, one they still develop today. She was also matched with a fellow Romanian race driver, a pairing that led to a heartfelt reconnection after years apart. More recently, she has been working with a junior mentee on a research paper exploring resilience and fearlessness in motorsport, a topic close to her heart.

"Each experience has been a reminder of how mentorship can spark collaboration, friendship, and growth."

How Mentoring Has Shaped Her

Dariana describes mentoring as changing her in both subtle and significant ways. "Personally, it's encouraged me to reflect more deeply on my own journey, what I've learned, what I value, and how I can pass that on with purpose. It's reminded me that teaching isn't just about sharing knowledge, but about listening, adapting, and growing alongside others."

Professionally, she connects it directly to her work as a mental health trainer. "It's sharpened my communication and leadership skills, especially in emotionally demanding environments like motorsport. Supporting others through challenges has taught me to lead with empathy and clarity, qualities that are also essential in my work as a mental health trainer."

She adds that mentoring has broadened her worldview as well. "It's also expanded my global perspective. Connecting with women from different cultures and disciplines has enriched my understanding of the motorsport world and reinforced how shared passion can build bridges across borders. Mentorship has been more than a role, it's been a catalyst for growth, connection, and purpose."

Her Advice to First-Time Mentors

Dariana's advice is to start without waiting to feel fully prepared. "I'd say: just start, don't overthink it. You don't need to have it all figured out." She recalls her own uncertainty when she first agreed to mentor. "I wasn't entirely sure what I could offer, but I knew I had stories, lessons, and a genuine desire to support someone else on their journey."

She frames mentoring as something that changes the mentor as much as the mentee. "You'll grow just as much as your mentee. You'll be challenged, inspired, and reminded why you fell in love with this world in the first place. So if you're thinking about it: take the leap. You never know whose life you might change, including your own."

Why She Believes Mentorship Matters

For Dariana, mentorship reflects a broader truth about motorsport and life. "Because in motorsport, and in life, no one truly gets anywhere alone." She describes the kind of mentor she strives to be. "I've come to see mentorship as a quiet kind of power, the kind that suits me well. I've never been one to seek the spotlight, but I've always believed in the strength of showing up, listening, and supporting others from behind the scenes."

She also frames mentorship as a form of legacy. "Every time we mentor, especially the next generation, we pass on more than just knowledge, we pass on belief, belonging, and the spirit of the sport itself. And that, to me, is what keeps the heart of motorsport beating."

As a Mentee: Learning From the Other Side

Even as an experienced mentor, Dariana chooses to take part as a mentee too. "When I saw the chance to be part of this program, surrounded by women who share the same fire and focus, I knew it was something I wanted to experience from both sides, mentor and mentee. I wasn't just seeking advice, I was seeking connection, reflection, and growth."

A Breakthrough in Storytelling

Through one of her mentorship sessions, Dariana found the courage to explore an area she had long felt unsure about: storytelling and public speaking. The encouragement came from a mentor with a background in radio, television, and online media. What started as a casual exchange of ideas became the foundation for a podcast project focused on motorsport mental health, drawing on Dariana's background in psychology.

"My mentor didn't just listen, she encouraged me to pursue it, to shape it, and to trust that my perspective had value. That moment of belief sparked a shift in me, and I've been building ever since."

What Having a Mentor Has Given Her

Dariana describes the experience as clarifying, both in what she already brings and in what she has been hesitant to pursue. "Professionally, it's given me the confidence to take ideas further, like launching new motorsport projects. Personally, it reminds me that growth doesn't always come from big leaps, sometimes, it's found in quiet encouragement, honest feedback, and the space to reflect."

Her Advice to Anyone Considering Becoming a Mentee

Dariana encourages anyone hesitating to lean in. "I know that feeling of hesitation, questioning whether your voice matters or your doubts are valid. But mentorship offers something rare: a space where curiosity is welcomed, and growth happens quietly, often in the most unexpected ways. So, take the step. You'll gain more than guidance, you'll gain perspective, confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging."

When asked what mentorship has meant to her, Dariana answers with an image drawn from her own world. "Mentorship has been my co-driver in the quietest sense - never seeking the spotlight, yet always in harmony with my rhythm, a gentle presence that turned uncertainty into direction, and solitude into shared purpose."

What She Recommends

When asked for a book, tool or resource recommendation, Dariana points to several titles that have shaped her work as a mental health trainer in motorsport. "It started with The Champion's Mind by Jim Afremow. I remember reading it during a quiet evening after a long race weekend, and it felt like someone had finally put into words what we all experience behind the scenes: the pressure, the self-doubt, the drive to keep going." She also recommends How Champions Think by Dr. Bob Rotella, calling it "equally powerful, and full of practical tools that I've since woven into my own training sessions."

She points to two further titles by Alexandru Dobai. Of The World Rally Guide, she says, "Painstakingly detailed, covering every WRC event since 1973. And the fact that it's written by a fellow Romanian makes it even more special to me." Of his other book, Dream a Little Dream with Me, she says it "takes you inside the rally car, not just through the speed and adrenaline, but through the silence between notes, the heartbeat before a turn, the bond between driver and co-driver. It reminded me that motorsport is as much about heart as it is about horsepower."