F1 Celebrates 10 Women Breaking Barriers in Racing

Women are making their mark in Formula 1 like never before, and International Women's Day gave the racing world a chance to celebrate the pioneers who made it possible.

Maria Teresa de Filippis started it all in 1958 when she became the first woman to compete in a Formula 1 championship race. The Naples native only took up racing to prove her brothers wrong after one bet she couldn't drive fast, but she went on to qualify for the Belgian Grand Prix and finish 10th at the wheel of a Maserati 250F.

Lella Lombardi followed in 1975, becoming the first woman to score a championship point. The former butcher's daughter taught herself to drive in her family's delivery van before climbing through the racing ranks to reach F1's highest level.

Fast forward to today, and women aren't just racing anymore. They're leading teams and shaping the sport's future.

Susie Wolff became the first woman in 22 years to participate in an F1 weekend when she drove for Williams in 2014. After retiring from racing, she didn't slow down. She co-founded Dare to be Different to increase female participation in motorsport, led a Formula E team, and now serves as Managing Director of F1 Academy.

Monisha Kaltenborn broke through as F1's first female team principal when she took over Sauber in 2012. The Indian-born lawyer had worked her way up through the team's legal department before buying shares and eventually leading the entire operation.

The Ripple Effect

These trailblazers didn't just make history for themselves. They created pathways that thousands of young women are now following.

F1 Academy just started its fourth season, giving female drivers dedicated training and competition opportunities. Programs like Discover Your Drive work at the grassroots level to show girls that racing careers are possible, not just dreams.

Claire Williams carried on her family's racing legacy as Deputy Team Principal at Williams, proving that leadership roles in F1 can pass to daughters just as easily as sons. Her success showed young women that team ownership isn't a boys-only club.

The sport is changing because these women refused to accept that racing had to be a male domain. Their courage to compete, lead, and innovate opened doors that were previously locked tight.

Now a new generation is charging through those doors, and the track ahead looks brighter than ever.