The development of motorsport in Armenia can carry not only sporting, but also educational and technological significance, Education, Science, Culture and Sports Minister Zhanna Andreasyan said during a meeting with a delegation led by FIA Secretary General for Automobile Mobility Valerio Iachizzi.
Andreasyan underscored the importance of the visit, noting that motorsport development in Armenia could serve as an effective tool for promoting engineering education, particularly within the framework of the technological cluster of the planned Academic City.
During the meeting, the FIA-initiated “Affordable Cross Car” project was presented. As part of the initiative, specialists from the Automobile Federation of Armenia created a cross car racing vehicle for the first time, carrying out the entire process within Armenia. The minister stressed that the initiative would help unlock young people’s potential, increase student engagement and promote the development of applied knowledge.
The FIA representative expressed gratitude for the reception and willingness to cooperate, noting that in recent years Armenia has built professional capacity in the field of auto and motorsport, strengthened organizational abilities and recorded progress. Presenting the “Affordable Cross Car” project, it was emphasized that the FIA has developed appropriate design solutions enabling local production.
The project aims to create an environment in which entering motorsport becomes possible without major financial investments, relying on local production and limited resources. Armenia has become the latest country to join this FIA initiative. An international federation consultant worked in Armenia for around ten days, assessing the high professional capabilities of the formed team. Within just a few months, local specialists established production and created a small but complete ecosystem, which received positive evaluations from international experts.
The meeting also addressed the FIA scholarship program implemented at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom for students specializing in motorsport mechatronics.
Zhanna Andreasyan proposed exploring expanded cooperation with the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, including student engagement, exchange programs and joint scientific and educational initiatives.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the minister reaffirmed the Armenian government’s readiness to deepen cooperation and jointly develop motorsport in Armenia as an important avenue for educational, technological and youth potential development.
