Women in Formula 1: A tribute to the stars of the track
Women in Formula 1 have written extraordinary pages in motorsport history, challenging stereotypes and taking on a traditionally male-dominated world.
The role of women in Formula 1: a challenge to time
Formula 1, with its gripping races and legendary drivers, is often perceived as a world dominated by men. However, female participation in the championship has deep roots dating back to the early days of competition. Although few have made it to the top level, women in Formula 1 have proven that talent and passion know no gender. This article aims to pay tribute to the female protagonists who have competed in the championship, inspiring future generations.
The roll of honor of the Grand Prix in Monza
Maria Teresa de Filippis: the pioneer of women in Formula 1
In 1958, Maria Teresa de Filippis became the first woman to compete in Formula 1. The Neapolitan driver debuted in a Maserati 250F, facing world-class opponents. Although her participations were limited, Maria Teresa proved that women could also compete at the highest level, defying prejudice and convention.
Her best result was a tenth place in the Belgian Grand Prix, an extraordinary achievement at the time. Despite the difficulties, her presence in the championship marked a historic moment, paving the way for future female participation.
Lella Lombardi: The Legend of the Half Point
Lella Lombardi is, to this day, the only woman to have won points in Formula 1. Born in Frugarolo in 1941, Maria Grazia "Lella" Lombardi began her career as a touring car and karting driver, reaching Formula 1 in 1974.
Her most iconic moment came in 1975 at the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite a dramatic race marked by a serious accident, Lella finished in sixth place, earning half a rainbow point. This result remains an undefeated record, a symbol of his talent and determination.
After Formula 1, Lella founded a racing stable, dedicating himself to the growth of new talent and consolidating his legacy in motorsport.
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Giovanna Amati: The Last Italian in Formula 1
Giovanna Amati was the last Italian woman to compete in Formula 1, in 1992 with the Brabham team. Born in Rome in 1959, her motorsport career had a difficult start, with a kidnapping interrupting her youth. Despite this, Amati made her way in the racing world, moving from Formula Abarth to Formula 3, before moving up to Formula 3000.
In 1991, after a test with Benetton, she got her chance in F1 with Brabham. Unfortunately, his inexperience and the team's technical meltdown had negative repercussions, and in the first three GPs of the season he failed to qualify. This led to his replacement by Damon Hill.
Although his Formula 1 adventure was short-lived, Amati continued to race, winning the Porsche Women's SuperCup in 1993 and participating in other competitions. Her career, unfortunately cut short prematurely, remains a symbol of determination and resilience in women's motorsport.
The future of women in Formula 1
Despite the difficulties, the landscape is changing. Initiatives such as the W Series, a women-only championship that has paved the way for the visibility of female talent, are attracting attention. Added to this is the recently launched F1 Academy, a platform dedicated to supporting young female drivers with the goal of facilitating their access to the highest categories of motorsport.
Drivers like Jamie Chadwick ( 3-time W Series Champion ) are proving that women can compete at the highest level. The hope is that, in the near future, we will see a significant return of women to the Formula 1 grid, not only as drivers, but also as engineers, managers and technicians.
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THE SUPPORT OF AUTODROMO NAZIONALE MONZA AT FERRARI EVENT IN MILAN
At the "Scuderia Ferrari HP Drivers' Presentation by UniCredit" event, which took place on Thursday in Piazza Castello in Milan, Autodromo Nazionale Monza and the Automobile Club Milano also contributed by providing service and logistical support for the exhibition. The event featured Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton driving through the streets of the Lombard capital, with Leclerc behind the wheel of the 2019 SF90 (the year he won the Italian Grand Prix) and Hamilton driving the SF21 from two years later. Sixteen Course Marshals from the Automobile Club Milano, who usually work during competitions at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, were involved. They were joined by Oscar Comi, International Race Director at Autodromo Nazionale Monza. The circuit also provided two vehicles: a rescue car and a fire-fighting vehicle with four Rext staff members. Additionally, one of the extraction teams from Areu, which provides service at the Monza facility, was present.
(Picture by Scuderia Ferrari HP)
RACE, SHOW AND SOLIDARITY: THE 2025 CALENDAR
Nine months, from March to December, filled with a series of national and international events, both automotive and non-automotive: the 2025 calendar of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza was presented this afternoon at the Giunta Hall of the Municipality of Monza. The event was attended by the Mayor of Monza, Paolo Pilotto, the Councillor for Sport, Viviana Guidetti, the President of Sias-Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Giuseppe Redaelli, and the General Director Alfredo Scala.
Motorsport. The long season begins with the Ferrari Challenge Europe, the Cavallino’s one-make series, now in its 33rd edition, which opens its season at the Monza circuit from March 28 to 30.
In April, a long weekend for historic car enthusiasts: it starts on Thursday, April 10, with the departure of the 16th edition of the Historic Re-enactment of the Milan-Sanremo Cup and continues with the first event of the year of the ACI Historic Racing Weekend (April 11-13), which includes the Italian Championship for Historic Circuit Cars, Top Jet F2000 Trophy, Mitjet Italia Racing Series, Colmore YTCC (Touring and GT cars up to 1990), Colmore NRCC (Touring, GT, Sports Prototypes, V8 Saloons, Nascar, and Can AM up to 2000) and Von Trips.
Dream supercars and internationally famous drivers will star in an event that has now become traditional in the Monza circuit’s calendar: the 3 Hours of the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, scheduled from May 30 to June 1.
From June 20-22, the ACI Racing Weekend 1 will take place: on track, the Italian GT Endurance Championship, TCR Italy Sequential and DSG, the Italian Sports Prototypes Championship, and the F4 Italian Championship. But an important novelty this year: the Autodromo Nazionale will host a round of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, a sort of World Touring Championship.
In early July (4-6), another new event will take place, the Eurocup - 3, accompanied by a series of support categories from several European countries (XGT, Boss GP, Lotus Cup, and Legend Cars).
Before the summer break, which allows the track to be set up for Formula 1, there will be a weekend with the Porsche Club Suisse (July 17-19).
The Grand Prix and the Autumn Races. September kicks off with the most eagerly awaited moment for fans: the 96th edition of the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d’Italia 2025, scheduled from September 5 to 7. Formula 2, Formula 3, and Porsche Supercup will also race on track.
In October, from the 17th to the 19th, the final round of the International GT Open will take place, with the Endurance Race GT Open 500. The following weekend will feature the second ACI Racing Weekend (October 24-26): on track, cars from the Italian GT Sprint Championship, the Euro F4 Championship, the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, and the Porsche Carrera Cup.
After the traditional racing season ends, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza will change its appearance to host rallies: an exciting appetizer with the 9th Special Rally Circuit by Vedovati Corse (November 15-16), followed by the main event in December with the Monza Rally Show (December 5-7).
The Events. In the rich calendar of events, after a year’s break, the fourth edition of MIMO will return at the end of June (27-29): an international motorsport festival with free entry. The Indy Autonomous Challenge is confirmed for this occasion: a unique race in the world between fully autonomous cars.
Among the non-motorized events to mark on the calendar, the return of the Monza Sport Festival on Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25: 50 disciplines will be practiced, about 90 clubs will be involved, in addition to several national federations. Then, on Saturday, September 27, the evocative F1RE - 12H Cycling Marathon (endurance cycling) and on Sunday, September 28, the Monza21 (the half marathon, which actually includes five races: 30 km and 21 km competitive, 10 km competitive and non-competitive, and 5 km non-competitive).
As usual, Autodromo Nazionale Monza will host important charity or socially relevant events: on March 9, the tenth edition of Run For Life, which for the first time will be held at the racetrack (the proceeds will be invested in replanting an area of the Monza Park); on June 8, the non-competitive run or walk of LILT (Italian League for the Fight against Cancer), Handcycling GP Monza PD3R, and Ride Beat. Always in the name of solidarity, the 6 Ruote di Speranza will take place on November 1.
This year, great attention will also be given to inclusion, thanks to the partnership with WeGlad: a company that has created an integrated mapping within the Monza Circuit app, which provides data and directions for people with disabilities throughout the entire facility.
"The Autodrome is a highly symbolic element of great significance for Monza: a brand that makes the city recognizable worldwide,- explain Mayor Paolo Pilotto and Councillor for Sport Viviana Guidetti -. The facility, with its century-old charm and its drive towards innovation, is increasingly opening up to the city, becoming a part of the local sports heritage. This is demonstrated by the numerous sports initiatives that complement the motorsport calendar and expand the circuit’s use to various disciplines. For example, soon, thanks to the collaboration with the Provincial Committee of Monza and Brianza of the Italian Cycling Federation, the track will be available for training sessions for local cycling clubs two evenings a week".
"We present our 2025 calendar at the Municipality of Monza as a tangible sign of the closeness to the community in which we are located and with which we want to have ever-closer relationships," said Giuseppe Redaelli, President of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. "Regarding the season, I would like to highlight the return of the Ferrari one-make series to Monza after three years of absence; the hosting of a TCR World Tour event during the first of the two ACI Racing Weekends, a sort of World Championship, and the confirmation of two important events for the closed-wheel races: the GT World Challenge Europe and International GT Open, not to mention the Monza Rally Show challenge in December after last year’s successful edition. I also like to remind everyone that after a year’s absence, due to track renovation works, an event that attracts a lot of public, Mimo, returns. Inside it, we have an event that takes us into the future of Automotive: the Indy Autonomous Challenge:, a unique race in the world between fully autonomous cars. Our flagship remains, of course, the Formula 1 Grand Prix. In this regard, I express my full satisfaction for the recent renewal of the contract with Formula 1, which will guarantee the Grand Prix until at least 2031."
President Redaelli, in his speech, shared a message from the President of Automobile Club Milano, Geronimo La Russa, who was unable to attend: "After a 2024 season running at partial capacity, due to the renovations that have given us a renewed and definitely more functional Autodromo Nazionale Monza, in line with modern standards, our circuit is preparing for a year of great excitement with a 2025 full of thrilling events. Since 1922, the year in which Automobile Club Milano founded the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, we have always worked in harmony with the local area and all stakeholders, and now, with even greater enthusiasm, we are committed to ensuring that Monza continues to be an international certainty and an important stop on the Formula 1 World Championship calendar. All of this, without forgetting the other races, side events, and track tests that will attract hundreds of thousands of fans to our region."