A strong call for further commitment to ensure all children have safe school journeys has been issued in Sao Paulo ahead of the Brazil Grand Prix. 

Working together with the Automotive Association of Brazil (AAB) and the FIA, the FIA Foundation brought key partners together on 6 November to build momentum and support for school area road safety. 

The Federal Government of Brazil is currently developing national guidance for safe school areas, with a strong focus on speed management and safe road infrastructure. Alongside this, the AAB with FIA Foundation support, is deploying the ‘Star Rating for Schools’ methodology to help authorities implement effective road safety measures around schools. 

Ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Brazilian F1 star Gabriel Bortoleto gave his support to the agenda and urged further action to ensure that children in Brazil and indeed around the world are given safe school journeys. Joining partners convened by the FIA Foundation Bortoleto said: “It’s so important to make sure that children are able to get to school safely. I know from growing up in Brazil that the roads can be very dangerous. We need safe crossings and there must be action on speeding. The program that the AAB is working on is very important and I would like cities and our government to give their full support to it.” 

Fabiana Ecclestone, FIA Vice President for Sport joined Gabriel Bortoleto, the FIA Foundation and its partners at the event. She said: “This work is vital, and it will save lives. It is critical to have safe infrastructure to keep children and the vulnerable safe on our roads. I’m proud to join the AAB and the FIA Foundation in this call for action and in the effort to highlight the need for further commitment.” 

Ricardo Morales, FIA Region IV President (South America and Central America), said: “At the FIA, we believe that safety starts with the most vulnerable road users, and children are our highest priority. This project shows what’s possible when government, local organisations, and the motorsport community come together.”

“Initiatives like this don’t just protect children; they help build safer, stronger communities. It’s a great example of how sport and mobility can work hand in hand to make the world safer for everyone.”

Avi Silverman FIA Foundation Deputy Director said: “Positive steps are being taken in Brazil, particularly with the Federal Government’s new guidance for school areas which has a strong focus on the safe system, action on speed, and the need for safe road infrastructure. The work that AAB is leading here in Brazil, builds on this effort. There is a tremendous opportunity to make further progress – we owe it to the children of Brazil to deliver.” 

The FIA Foundation involved one of Sao Paulo’s project schools in the school area road safety event and meeting. The Jardim Lapenna school has been working with WRI Brasil which is a key partner in supporting the Federal Government’s schools road safety initiative. WRI Brasil had helped create a safer road environment along with safe play spaces after children had highlighted the dangers that they faced. 

School Principal Rita Rodrigues said: “Our roads must be made safer for our children. They often have to face cars travelling at high speeds on their way to school. We are lucky to have a project that has provided safe pathways for the children but we want to see more action.” 

The AAB and FIA Foundation is also hosting a partners planning meeting at the Grand Prix involving iRAP, WRI, and a range of city and state authorities from Sao Paulo. Next steps in delivering safe school journeys and implementing the Federal Government school areas road safety agenda will be discussed.