Rising Stars Profile Vol.18 – Domenika Arellano & Annabella Fairclough

FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars special series

In 2020, FIA launched FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars program. This year, the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars program continues for a 4th edition. 16 young women, 8 in the Senior Category and 8 in the Junior Category, went through the Training Camp in earlier September in Franciacorta, Italy. Four finalists from each category came out of the Training Camp and will go into the Final at Maranello in November.

Just like in the prvious three editions, we are rolling out the profiles of drivers participating in the program. Today, we give you two Finalists from their respective categories – Domenika Arellano from the Senior Category, and Annabella Fairclough from the Junior Category.

Domenika Arellano

© All photos provided by Domenika Arellano

Paddock Sorority (PS): What was your first exposure to motorsport? How did you actually get started with karting?

Domenika Arellano (DA): I started karting at six years old. My brother, who is 12 years older than me, was karting first, and I saw him racing and I really liked it. For me, it was the best thing in the world! I thought it was very cool and I wanted to try it! First I tried it at this school for karting. They taught me the basic things. When I was seven, I had my first race in Colombia, in the bambino class. I won that race out of 10 drivers.

PS: You won your first race at 7 years old. When did you decide you want to be a professional driver?

DA: I started karting as a hobby. When I started racing, I know I really like it, and I want to be good at it. I remember that I want to try more things, to practice, to pay attention to nutrition, to go to the gym, to be more fit and win more races. I want to travel to all the places that I can to have more experiences. I want to be a professional driver since my first race. It motivated me to be a professional driver.

PS: Is your brother also like a racing idol for you? Are there others?

DA: The first one was my brother. I wanted to be a driver because I see my brother. My other idol is Daniel Ricciardo. He’s not just a good driver. He’s also a funny guy. I want to have a personality like him. I also like Verstappen’s driving. He’s the best one racing now. I want to be like him or be better than him.

PS: How are your family supporting your racing career?

DA: My father and my mother are the best supporters. At the beginning, I don’t have any sponsors or any support from others. At first, my family paid for my kart and my team. To help me get better at racing, my dad called my mechanics to understand how I can driver better and explained to me. He gave me more things to practice and try. He also helps on the media side, telling the world I’m a good driver. He also gives me emotional support when I’m down.

PS: You were in the selection last year as well. Was that the first time you were racing in Europe? How are the racing scenes different in Europe from Latin America?

DA: In Latin America, you would use your tire as many times as possible, until you cannot use it any more. In Europe, they use it once and they throw it away. It’s not just the tires, other parts as well. If something is broken, I would try to fix it and use it again. They would also just throw it away. They always have new ones. It’s surprising, but it’s good for your performance of course. They use the best things to drive better. Another thing is the drivers in Europe are more aggressive.

PS: What did you learn the last time that helped you prepare this time?

DA: I learned to be more aggressive. Last time, there were a lot of drivers taller and bigger than me. They would crash into me to keep me off the podium. This time, my coach told me to be aggressive. And I did. I went from P12 to P1 in just one lap. Although in the end, they still crashed into me.

PS: But you still got into the Final! How are you preparing for the Final?

DA: I’m preparing mostly in the gym. I’m also preparing at the track. They also gave me instructions regarding nutrition which I’m following. I also want to be better at speaking English. I have to know more words to express myself better.

PS: What has been your best memory in your career so far?

DA: I remember when I was younger, I took the F1 cars of my brother’s and played with them all the time. I remember wanting to be in one of them on the track. When I get in the F4 car at the training camp, it was amazing for me. I’m still happy now thinking back, because it’s a good experience. It reminded me of playing with my brother’s F1 cars. The only thing I want now is to be again in an F4 car.

PS: You said you are going to the gym every day, so how do you balance your racing, training, and your school work?

DA: It is difficult. Sometimes I don’t go to the school. But I still have to do my homework and also the work they do during the class. But the school supports me. If I have to hand in my homework on Saturday, they would give me an extension to hand it in later. Sometimes if I don’t understand things in my notebook, I have to call my friends and have them explain it to me or share their notes with me. I’ve been doing this all my life, even though it’s difficult.

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Annabella Fairclough

© All photos provided by Domenika Arellano

Paddock Sorority (PS): What was your first exposure to motorsport? How did you actually get started with karting?

Annabella Fairclough (AF): My first exposure to motorsport was watching my dad race in a championship for a season, following him around the UK (Bella’s dad is the Mini Challenge champion) and at the same time having a quad bike that I would ride every day in the Welsh mountains around our home. In 2020, I did some indoor karting with my dad, and I would follow him around the track. Then just before my 10th birthday, I started in outdoor karts.

PS: What made you decide you want to be a professional driver?

AF: I am really sporty, and I have been really successful at racing. I enjoy the thrill of motorsport. If I can be paid to do it as a job, that would be perfect.

PS: From whom did you learn the most about racing and driving?

AF: 100% my dad, and now also the coaches at the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars Training Camp.

PS: Is there a racing idol for you?

AF: Lewis Hamilton. He’s exceptionally talented and he has achieved so much. He also seems grounded and humble, and calm under pressure.

PS: How are your family supporting your racing career?

AF: Karting is a family thing, my little sister races too. My dad is my mechanic and coach. My mum looks after everything else.

PS: What has been your best memory in your career so far?

AF: My favourite memory was the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars Training Camp at Franciacorta. It was such a great experience, having a brand-new kart, a mechanic and my own coach for two days.

PS: How have you been preparing for the training camp? What’s your training schedule like?

AF: I had never practiced on the engine we were using – some say it’s faster than the senior category in the UK. I have just moved up to the junior size chassis, so we managed to get hold of an engine like the one we use at the training camp. I am going to do my first Junior races before the Final in November. I’ve been karting for just over two years, and had just a few weeks in the Junior category, so seat time for me is important to get used to speed, strength, handling and braking and getting the most out of my kart.

PS: How do you balance your racing (including your training) and your schoolwork?

AF: I’m fortunate to really love schoolwork so I always manage to fit it in. My school is also very helpful because they let me have days off from school for practices or races.

PS: More in the long term, if you want to keep going up the ladder, what do you need to still work on? 

AF: More seat time.