Following unanimous agreement from the members of the World Motor Sport Council, the FIA has established a new commission to facilitate the full participation of women in all aspects of motor sport. The Women & Motor Sport Commission (WMC) held its first meeting yesterday (26 April) under the Presidency of former world rally winning driver Michele Mouton.

FIA President Jean Todt said: "The FIA's membership around the world comprises men and women; each has an identical part to play in sport. Like many international federations, we will support, promote and help advance the participation of women in motor sport to ensure equal opportunities at all levels."

The WMC aims to put in place strategies and policies that will promote education and training, and put into practice actions and events that will strengthen the participation of women in all areas of motor sport. The Commission will work with the FIA's sporting and non-sporting commissions, ASNs and other key international federations on joint sporting projects. The WMC will also take an active role in international forums and conferences devoted to the place of women in sport, and the advances that can be made.

Michele Mouton, President of the WMC, was the first woman to win a round of the FIA World Rally Championship and went on to win a total four World Championship rallies in the 1980s. The Frenchwoman was Vice World Rally Champion in 1982 and earned respect in a man's world not only for her driving, but for her personality and passion.

Mouton said: "Women already have their place in motor sport; they have proved it. But for many years people have asked me why there have been no women following in my footsteps. I really hope the Commission can help answer that question and that we can attract and support women in all areas of our sport."

The Women & Motor Sport Commission comprises 19 members representing the ASNs, manufacturers, teams, drivers and the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme.

Michele Mouton (President), Frederique Trouve (FIA Commission Manager ), Kady Angelbert (FISAM, Cote d'Ivoire), Banu Baseran (TOSFED, Turkey), Ina Fabry (DMSB, Germany), Henny Hemmes (KNAF, Netherlands), Fabrizia Pons (ACI-CSAI, Italy), Sarka Regnerova (ACCR, Czech Republic), Sue Sanders (MSA, United Kingdom), Mar de Villa (RFEA, Spain), Randa Nabulsi (Middle East representative), Brigitte Zufferey (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme), Mr Jaime Puig (SEAT Sport), Cathy Muller (Team Manager), Monisha Kaltenborn (Sauber Group), Natacha Gachnang (GT1 driver), Katherine Legge (Audi DTM driver) and Hayley Gallagher (FIA Communications). An Asia representative has yet to be appointed.