Imane Benmansour: Turning Passion into a Dream in the World of Motorsport
At 21, this young communications professional shares her journey at Prema Racing, the challenges of a male-dominated industry, and her mission to make motorsport more accessible.
Can you introduce yourself and your work in motorsport?
My name is Imane Benmansour, I’m 21 years old, and I did an internship at Prema Racing. I worked mainly in communication, helping with social media, preparing content, and contributing to the fan club. I was in charge of different tasks like organizing photos, checking video subtitles, and assisting wherever needed. It really opened my eyes to how important communication is in building a team’s image.
What initially drew you to the world of motorsport?
My brother was the one who really introduced me to Formula 1. He would talk about it a lot, and I didn’t pay much attention at first, until one day there was a big crash during a race, and I watched it on TV with my mom. From that day on, we never missed a race. I started getting more and more into F1, then F2, and even F4. I loved how action-packed the junior series were, and I felt even more connected since the drivers were closer to my age. That’s how it all began.
As a woman, have you encountered specific challenges or, conversely, particular opportunities in this traditionally male-dominated industry?
When I was working in the office, I was surrounded by women in the communication department, so I didn’t feel out of place at all. But when I went to the Vallelunga circuit for an F4 race weekend, I was the only girl managing communications and social media on-site. That’s when I started questioning my place and experienced a bit of impostor syndrome. Still, everyone made me feel welcome. I paid attention to people’s work rhythms, avoided interrupting them, and tried to show genuine interest. Step by step, I found my place.
What does a typical day or week look like in your role? Could you give us an overview of your main responsibilities and activities?
It really depended on whether I was at the office or at the track. At the office, I did a lot of different things like checking video subtitles before they went live, preparing fan club messages like birthday notes, selecting and sorting photos for the yearbook or for screens in the paddock, and helping out whenever anyone needed a hand. I also had a chance to look at the merch side of things. It was calm but super interesting. At the track, it was a whole different rhythm. Much longer days, waking up early, but also having my own little space in the media truck. I would document the weekend, take photos and videos, and send them to the media team so they could post stories. I also had my own camera, so I captured some great shots of the drivers and engineers/mechanics, which they really appreciated. During quiet moments, I’d sit in the truck, sort and edit the photos, and also help transfer the official photographer’s files for internal use.
In your opinion, what are the most essential skills required to succeed and thrive in your field within motorsport?
First and foremost, passion. Motorsport is really demanding, and without passion, it’s easy to burn out. Then, language skills are really valuable. I think English, French, Spanish, and Italian are the most helpful ones. I didn’t speak much Italian, but thankfully, almost everyone at Prema spoke English or French. Being organized is key too! You can’t leave things until the last minute. And finally, adaptability is really important. For example, I found out just two days before that I was going to the circuit, and I had to be ready to go. You have to be flexible and able to adjust quickly.
Motorsport is a high-pressure environment. How do you manage the stress and inherent challenges of your role, especially during crucial moments like races or project launches?
To be honest, I didn’t feel too much pressure at the office because I was just an intern and I had a great mentor, Alessandra, who guided me from the beginning. At the circuit, it was different. It was my first race weekend, and I was nervous because I didn’t know exactly what I’d be doing. But I learned quickly that asking questions (without bothering people when they were busy) was key. Showing that you care, that you’re involved, even just through small observations and good timing, helps build your confidence.
What advice would you give to a young woman or anyone aspiring to build a career in motorsport today?
I would say: don’t be afraid to go for it, even if it feels like a long shot. Be curious and passionate. In areas like logistics and communications, there are more women, but in technical roles like engineering, it’s still harder to stand out, so it’s important to be bold. For me, I just went for it. Having contacts helps too. I got in touch with Prema thanks to my father, and I’m grateful for that. But once you get your foot in the door, it’s about proving you belong. For women, it can be harder to stand out, but you have to stay confident. If you really want something, and you’re determined, you’ll get there. Women absolutely have a place in this world and honestly, the men I worked with were welcoming and made me feel like I belonged.
What is the most memorable moment or the greatest source of pride you’ve experienced so far in your career?
One of the most memorable moments was simply when I got the email saying I was accepted for the internship. Even though I was hopeful, you never know until it’s official. I had followed Prema for years, watching them from the grandstands… so stepping into their world behind the scenes was unbelievable. Meeting the drivers was also a great experience. And my week at Vallelunga really stands out. Not only because I was at the heart of the action, but also because of how well the engineers welcomed me. We shared meals, conversations, and they made me feel like part of the team. But one moment I’ll never forget was standing right below the podium, taking photos of our winning drivers. In that instant, I realized how proud I was to be part of it all, representing such a great team from the inside.
Team spirit is paramount in motorsport. How do collaboration and communication function within your team or organization, and what is your role in that dynamic?
At Prema, everything is extremely well-organized, and that really stood out to me. Communication, especially, is key, and I had the chance to experience both internal and external sides of it. At the office, I was working on internal communication, receiving real-time content from various series and organizing it. At the circuit, it flipped. I was the one capturing content and sending it back. Tools like WhatsApp groups or shared platforms helped us stay connected and reactive. Everyone needed to be on the same page quickly, and that level of coordination was really important to keeping everything running smoothly.
What drives and motivates you to continue evolving in such a demanding and competitive environment as motorsport?
Even though there’s pressure in motorsport, I genuinely think it’s worth it. You experience so many incredible things and meet inspiring people. The adrenaline is constant, and it’s not something you find in every industry. Every field comes with stress, but if I’m going to feel pressure, I’d rather feel it doing something I love. That passion, that excitement, that’s what keeps me going.
Have you had mentors or inspiring figures who have marked your path? And on your side, do you aspire to mentor young talents?
Yes! Alessandra, who works in communication at Prema, really guided me during my internship. From the first day, she made me feel included, asked questions, brought me along to lunch… she never left me on my own. She helped me feel legitimate and supported, and I’ll always be grateful for that. I also had a great experience with the F4 engineers during the race weekend. We traveled together and they were super welcoming. As for mentoring others, I don’t feel like I have enough experience yet to truly mentor someone, but I love helping. When people ask me questions on TikTok about motorsport, I always answer. I tell everyone to just go for it, even if it means getting rejected. Be bold, stay ambitious, and don’t wait around for the “perfect” moment.
How would you describe the evolution of your own role or your specific area within motorsport since you started?
At first, I was just a spectator watching F1, F2, and F3 races like any fan. But once I joined Prema, I saw the other side. I realized how important the communication work is, and how much goes into shaping the image that fans see online. Being on the inside gave me a whole new perspective. I became more confident, less shy, and started feeling like I belonged. I’ve definitely grown, both in how I carry myself and in how I see the motorsport world.
If you could change one thing in motorsport to make it even better, what would it be and why?
If I could change one thing in motorsport, I’d make it more accessible not just to fans, but to young people who want to work in it. Right now, it can feel like a closed world where you need the right background or connections to get in. But passion and talent should matter more than who you know. I’d love to see more initiatives that open doors, like mentorship programs, scholarships, or platforms where pros can share their knowledge with people who wouldn’t otherwise have access. There are so many brilliant people out there who just need that first chance. Creating space for them would make motorsport even richer, more creative, and more inclusive.