Mentor Spotlight: Khatuna Julakidze on Building Connections Through Motorsport

Khatuna Julakidze, Founder of Women Marshals Club Georgia, Mentor & Mentee

I have been involved in motorsports since 2011, taking on roles as a Secretary of events and championships, an Organiser of championships and events, and a Timekeeper. My deep passion for motorsport led me to found the Women Marshals Club in Georgia, a community dedicated to encouraging more women to take on roles in motorsport beyond driving.

I joined the FIA Women in Motorsport Mentorship Programme because I believe I have valuable experience to share, but also because I wanted to continue learning from others and connecting with incredible women from all over the world. One of the most memorable experiences I've had was meeting my mentee, Yasenur, in person during the Formula One Grand Prix in Baku. She was working as a Flag Marshal, and I was a Recovery Marshal, so we met every day during the event to share our experiences and insights. What made this even more special was that our mentorship story actually began during FIA Safety Week 2024, where I was a speaker and she was a participant. She saw me online, reached out, and we became "online friends." Later, when we were matched through the FIA mentorship program, it felt like fate, and we were both thrilled to take our connection from online to real life.

"This mentorship program has been an incredible opportunity—not just for knowledge sharing, but for building a global community of women in motorsport." – Khatuna Julakidze

One of the biggest challenges for women in this field is the misconception that they have to be racers or drivers to belong. That's exactly why I created the Women Marshals Club in Georgia—to show other women that there are so many different ways to be involved in motorsport. Through marshalling, they can experience the thrill of the sport up close, without needing to be behind the wheel. It is so important to have visible female role models in motorsport to demonstrate that women belong in every aspect of the industry.

To anyone considering joining the FIA Women in Motorsport Mentorship Programme, I highly recommend it!

"This experience has given me valuable insights into different areas of motorsport and allowed me to form friendships with inspiring women from all over the world. Whether as a mentor or a mentee, you have the opportunity to both give and receive knowledge, helping to create a stronger, more inclusive motorsport community." – Khatuna Julakidze