Sita Vanmeert becomes first confirmed female driver for 2024 NXT Gen Cup
Sita Vanmeert has become the first confirmed female driver for the 2024 NXT Gen Cup season, as the electric junior championship goes international with the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and DTM.
"I'm stoked to make my racing debut in NXT Gen Cup and face a season racing on iconic circuits like Monaco and Hockenheim. It's going to be a great next step in my career and especially to race 100% electric," said Sita Vanmeert
The Belgian driver heads straight from international karting to NXT Gen Cup, most recently racing in the 2023 IAME Winter Cup - X30 Senior.
"I've got plenty of karting experience but limited racing experience, meaning that this is the biggest step forward in my career so far. I know that it's going to be a really competitive field and for me this is all about building experience. Hopefully we will get some good results along the way and I can't wait for the season to start," said Sita Vanmeert.
The 18-year-old is a former FIA Motorsport Games karting gold medalist and will get her first laps in the 100% electric LRT NXT1 race car during the pre-season test at Misano this week, the same circuit where the first race weekend of 2024 will be held on April 13-14.
"We're very glad to have Sita onboard for our groundbreaking 2024 season when we go fully international. We had four female drivers with us last year and hopefully that number will grow this year as we continue pushing for a equal and sustainable junior motorsport future,” said Fredrik Lestrup, NXT Gen Cup founder.
Sita Vanmeert will get support from NV Academy during the NXT Gen Cup season, a programme headed by Belgian racing driver Nico Verdonck.
"We have brought Sita onboard in our coaching and mentor programme based on her national and international karting performances. I believe she has the potential become really competitive in this unique one-make series and we look forward to work together with her this year," said Nico Verdonck.
Are you interested in joining NXT Gen Cup? Get in touch.
About NXT Gen Cup
The NXT Gen Cup is the world’s first 100% electric junior touring car cup where young female and male drivers race the LRT NXT1, a fully electric race car based on the MINI Cooper SE road car - engineered and built by Lestrup Racing Team. The series races together with Formula E and DTM and is organised through an “arrive and drive” concept, enabling the junior drivers to focus on driving and creating the foundation for a professional racing career.
About Formula E
As the world’s first all-electric FIA World Championship and the only sport certified net zero carbon since inception, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship brings dramatic racing to the heart of some of the world’s most iconic cities providing an elite motorsport platform for the world’s leading automotive manufacturers to accelerate electric vehicle innovation. The Formula E network of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters, and host cities are united by a passion for the sport and belief in its potential to accelerate sustainable human progress and create a better future for people and planet.
About DTM
DTM is Europe’s premier and best-known racing series and is celebrating its 40th birthday in 2024. As one the most competitive racing series, DTM features seven prestigious brands in its anniversary season. The DTM has a German core, but a strong international fan base. Races are broadcasted live in 150 territories. The series is also a leader in sustainable motorsport. For the second season, all cars are powered by a sustainable fuel made of 50% renewable components. Not only the cars racing in DTM are in the center of sustainable project. For the events itself the ADAC as promoter of the DTM offers innovations like an initiative to reduce plastic waste and a digital carpool solution, which has been recognised and awarded by the FIA.
