Mentor Spotlight: How Letizia Bizzotto Helps Others Navigate Motorsport's Evolving Landscape

Finding Her Way Into Mentorship

Letizia's approach to mentorship stems from her own experience entering the industry. "Very few people could provide concrete guidance when I was carving my path in motorsport. Despite the industry's brilliance, it often felt like a closed circle, especially for women or those without traditional backgrounds. I mentor today because I don't want newcomers to feel as uncertain as I did."

Her philosophy: "Keeping knowledge to yourself serves no one—we're all part of the same larger ecosystem. Lifting others lifts the whole industry."

Small Conversations, Big Impact

One of Letizia's mentorship experiences shows how brief interactions can have lasting effects. "One moment that stands out was when I offered just a few hours of availability to a student, and that brief exchange ended up guiding her academic and career trajectory. It reminded me of how impactful small gestures can be. Helping someone translate vague ambitions into concrete steps, or giving a name and structure to their aspirations, is incredibly fulfilling."

Learning from Both Perspectives

Letizia's experience as both mentor and mentee gives her a well-rounded view of the process. As a mentee, she was looking for guidance on how to bridge her background with motorsport engineering. "I was looking for someone who could bridge a technical role—ideally in motorsport engineering or vehicle dynamics—with a less traditional background, similar to my own. My goal was to understand how to integrate technical skills into my AI and management-oriented profile, and build a professional identity that stands out in the motorsport industry."

Her mentorship experience provided valuable insights about the industry's network-driven nature: "One of the most valuable insights I gained was the importance of genuine connections. Motorsport is highly network-driven, and beyond skills or knowledge, knowing the right people—and being known—can open doors that would otherwise remain closed."

Understanding Professional Growth

Her mentor helped her gain a more realistic perspective on career development. "I used to think that once people 'made it,' their path was linear and clear—but my mentor helped me see that even the most accomplished professionals faced setbacks, doubts. That perspective gave me both confidence and patience. It reminded me that progress isn't always visible or immediate, and that resilience is just as critical as technical skills."

Personal and Professional Development

Mentoring has contributed to Letizia's own growth in several ways. "Mentoring has made me feel like an active agent of change in a historically exclusive industry. It reminds me that motorsport is evolving—it's becoming more diverse, more inclusive, and more open to different profiles."

The experience has also helped develop practical skills: "Professionally, it's sharpened my communication, empathy, and leadership skills," while "it's reinforced my sense of purpose."

Advice for Future Mentors and Mentees

Letizia's guidance for potential mentors emphasises the reciprocal nature of the relationship: "Approach it as both a mentor and a mentee. There's always something to teach, and even more to learn. You don't need to have all the answers to be valuable—you just need to be present, open, and honest. The learning flows both ways."

For those considering becoming mentees, she advocates for openness to unexpected sources of wisdom: "No matter your background—technical or non-technical, academic or hands-on—there is always something to learn. Often, the most unexpected mentors, from roles that seem distant from your own, can provide the freshest, most impactful insights. Stay open, curious, and willing to engage outside your comfort zone."

Practical Wisdom for Industry Success

Beyond formal mentorship, Letizia offers practical advice for women entering motorsport. She recommends "attending minor championships and paddocks frequently. These are often overlooked but are goldmines for learning, networking, and building a presence. Be proactive and prepared to step into roles you may not have formally studied or practiced yet. Versatility is key—motorsport demands flexibility and fast learning, and those who adapt quickly often move forward faster."

Why Mentorship Matters in Motorsport

Letizia sees mentorship as particularly valuable in motorsport due to the industry's characteristics. "Motorsport, like many high-performance industries, was traditionally male-dominated and gatekept. Mentorship creates bridges where walls used to be. For women, it's not just about knowledge transfer—it's about representation, validation, and resilience. Seeing someone like you thrive in a space you aspire to be in makes the goal tangible."

Defining Mentorship

"Mentorship, to me, is the ability to transform vague ambitions into concrete, achievable steps—and to do so with someone who genuinely understands the landscape you're trying to enter."

Looking Forward

Letizia's experience in both roles demonstrates the value of continuous learning in mentorship. By serving as both mentor and mentee, she's able to offer practical guidance while staying connected to the challenges facing those entering the industry today.

Through her approach to mentorship, Letizia shows that sharing knowledge and experiences benefits not just individuals, but contributes to the broader evolution of the motorsport industry.