Jure Portelli to trial with Ferrari Driver Academy in Italy

A Queensland teenager who was introduced to karting by her father to teach her driving skills before getting her licence started beating all the boys. Now she’s one of just eight in the world selected for an elite Ferrari program.

Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll … and Jure Portelli?

Portelli, a 15-year-old Whitsundays girl, hopes to one day join those coveted names as a Formula One driver.

And it’s not as far-fetched as you might think.

All three are graduates of the esteemed Ferrari Driving Academy, an academy Portelli could very well be a part of in the coming weeks.

“It would mean the world to me, it would completely change my life and my whole family‘s life,” Jure said on the prospect of earning a seat in the academy.

She’s one of just eight 14-16 year old girls from around the world selected for a training camp at Italy’s Franciacorta Circuit, courtesy of the FIA Girls on Track Rising Star program.

The girl judged most talented and promising by Ferrari experts will potentially become the next female driver to join their academy.

That could lead to an opportunity to compete in Formula 4 with the support of the Iron Dames, a team designed to support women in motorsport.

But the high-octane circuits of Italy and lavish recruiters of world-renowned outfit Ferrari are far removed from the humble Whitsunday Moto Sport track, where Jure made her start in go-karting just over two years ago.

Jure Portelli at her home event, the Whitsunday Club Championships. Picture: Contributed

“For us, it just happened,” Jure said.

“My dad wanted to teach my sister and I how to drive before we got our licence, and we sort of stumbled across karting, and thought it would be a perfect way to learn how to drive.”

“It was more of just a fun hobby at the time, then I got keen and loved racing and the competition and beating all the boys, I fell in love with it.

“I wouldn’t say I was the fastest but I just kept working at it because I loved it so much, I just wanted to get to that next level.

“I think that’s why I got as good as I am, because I … had the passion for it.”

That passion led Jure to all the way to the state titles in her very first season, where she would finish 15th out of 40 karters.

“I was pretty nervous at the time, after that I got the hang of how the big races worked and played out, it’s just been amazing ever since.”

Jure Portelli is a calm racer under pressure. Picture: Jure Portelli Racing Facebook/Ben Roehlen

Her progression came quickly, with 20 race wins and 30 podiums from 40 starts in 2022 ensuing.

She also won the KA3 and KA4 championships in the NQ Kart Series, and raced in the Australian Kart Championship this year.

Despite her fortuitous introduction to the sport, Jure reveals she’s always had her sights set on the Girls on Track Rising Star program.

“Being selected for this has been my goal ever since we started … it’s always been in the back of our minds that this is the path we want to take,” Jure said.

“We’ve seen so many other young karters go through this program and even through the Ferrari Driver Academy and see how successful they are with it.

Jure’s fallen in love with go-karting. Picture: Jure Portelli Racing Facebook/Ben Roehlen

“It was just crazy reading that email that I got accepted … I just couldn’t believe it, it was so surreal.”

That email came just two weeks ago, and on Monday Jure and dad Justin Portelli jetted off to Italy.

While that’s where Jure could realise her dream, the year nine St Catherine’s Catholic College student was afforded the opportunity to live out every 14-year-old’s dream over the past fortnight.

“Once we found out, since it was such short notice, I haven’t been going to school,” she said.

Jure Portelli on the grid. Picture: Jure Portelli Racing Facebook/Ben Roehlen

“I would get up at five in the morning, go to the gym, come home, do a bit of reflex training and co-ordination, then go for a run.

“I was training pretty much all day everyday since we got the email until now.”

Justin couldn’t be prouder of what his daughter has achieved to date.

“It’s pretty amazing, we’ve been aiming towards this (opportunity) since she’s been racing,” Justin said

“It’s only been two years, just to reach that level is pretty good … it’s a pretty proud moment as a parent.”

Jure Portelli and her dad Justin. Picture: Jure Portelli Racing Facebook/Ben Roehlen

Jure is equally grateful for her parents’ support.

“My mum drives me to the gym at five o’clock every morning, I don’t know any other parents that would do that,” she said.

“My dad has done literally everything for me, there’s not one thing that he wouldn’t do for me. I’m so grateful that he’s willing to give me all these opportunities, even if it means sacrificing for himself.”

Jure also revealed that being a female in a male-dominated sport doesn’t come without its challenges.

“It was a bit intimidating because I was one of the only girls from up where I’m from racing,” she said.

But that could be about change, programs like the Girls on Track Rising Star are opening up pathways for female drivers, and the all-female F1 Academy feeder series was announced by the FIA in July.

“Women in motorsport is such a big initiative lately, through the past few years it’s definitely helped to inspire other girls, and seeing girls like me achieve such amazing things, it definitely shows all the other girls that they can do it too,” Jure said.

A female hasn’t featured on the Formula One grid since Lella Lombardi in 1976.

Maybe Jure could break that drought; she certainly wouldn’t be opposed to the idea.

“Every little kid’s dream is to race Formula One.”