The Women of Formula 1 Through History
Women's participation in Formula 1 has been historically significant, albeit limited. Maria Teresa de Filippis broke ground as the first female competitor, while Lella Lombardi remains the only woman to score points in the championship. Other notable drivers include Divina Galica, Desiré Wilson, and Giovanna Amati, with Amati being the last woman to attempt qualifying for a race in 1992. More recently, Jessica Hawkins tested a 2021-spec F1 car in 2023, highlighting the ongoing involvement of women in the sport's development roles.
Maria Teresa de Filippis
The first woman to compete in Formula 1, Maria Teresa de Filippis started her career in the late 1950s. She entered five Grand Prix races and qualified for three, making her debut in the 1958 Belgian Grand Prix. Her pioneering role paved the way for future generations of women in motorsport.
Lella Lombardi
Lombardi is the only woman to have scored points in Formula 1. She competed during the mid-1970s and her best result came at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, where she finished sixth. However, the race was stopped early due to an accident, and only half points were awarded, leaving her with 0.5 points. She entered a total of 17 Grand Prix races.
Divina Galica
Although she did not qualify for a Formula 1 Grand Prix, Galica was a British skier turned racing driver who attempted to qualify for three races in the late 1970s. Her diverse background in sports highlights the multi-talented nature of women who break into male-dominated fields.
Desiré Wilson
Wilson is one of the few women to have won a Formula One race of any kind, although not in the World Championship. She won a British Formula One race at Brands Hatch in 1980. Wilson attempted to qualify for the 1980 British Grand Prix but was unsuccessful.
Giovanna Amati
The most recent female driver to attempt entry into a Formula 1 race, Amati tried to qualify for three races in 1992 with the Brabham team but did not succeed in qualifying for any of them.
In addition to these trailblazers, there have been numerous women involved in Formula 1 in other capacities, such as test drivers, engineers, and team principals. Test drivers like Susie Wolff (Williams) and Tatiana Calderón (Sauber, now known as Alfa Romeo Racing) have also played significant roles in recent years, demonstrating the evolving landscape of women in motorsport. And let's not forget Jessica Hawkins, an Aston Martin driver ambassador, who tested a 2021-spec F1 car at the Hungaroring!
While the participation of women in Formula 1 as drivers remains limited, their contributions and the breaking of gender barriers continue to inspire future generations. The increasing involvement of women in various roles within the sport reflects a slowly but steadily changing culture towards greater inclusivity and diversity. And we couldn't be happier that the change is finally happening!
