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List of female Formula One drivers

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This is a list of femalemotor racingdrivers who have taken part in theFormula OneWorld Championship since the inception of theWorld Championship for Driversin1950.

Maria Teresa de Filippiswas the first woman to enter a Formula One race. As of 2024,four other female drivers have entered at least oneGrand Prix,although only two havequalifiedand started a race.Lella Lombardihas competed in the most Grands Prix of any female driver, with 17 entries and 12 starts.Desiré Wilsonis the only woman to win a Formula One race of any kind, finishing first at the 1980British Aurora F1 Championship.

History

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Lella Lombardiremains the only woman to score points in Formula One
Maria Teresa de FilippisatMonzain1958

The involvement of women inFormula Onewas pioneered by ItalianMaria Teresa de Filippis,who entered five races between the1958and1959seasons in aMaserati 250F,starting three.[1]She was the first woman toqualifyfor a Grand Prix, and scored her best result of tenth place in the1958 Belgian Grand Prix.[2][3][4][5]She did not take part in the following race inFrance—the race director denied her involvement, stating that "the only helmet a woman should wear is the one at the hairdresser’s."[6][1]Maria ended her career at theMonaco Grand Prixthe following year.[7]

The only time I was prevented from racing was at the French Grand Prix. The race director said, "The only helmet a woman should wear is the one at the hairdresser’s." Apart from that, I don’t think I encountered any prejudice — only surprise at my success.

— Maria Teresa de Filippis

After fifteen years, another Italian driver,Lella Lombardi,competed in three seasons between1974and1976.Lombardi entered seventeen races and started twelve, achieving her best career finish of sixth at the1975 Spanish Grand Prix.The race was stopped following a spectator accident, but because at least 29 of the scheduled 71 laps had been completed, the rules stipulated that, for the first time,half pointswere to be awarded.[8]Lombardi's sixth-place finish meant she became the first, and so far only, woman to score points in the World Championship.[9][10][11][12][13][14]

In1976,Britishprofessional skierDivina Galicaattempted to qualify for three Grand Prix, including theBritish Grand Prix.This was notably the only Formula One Grand Prix in which multiple female drivers (Lombardi and Galica) entered. However, both failed to qualify.[12][13][15][16]

In1980,the South AfricanDesiré Wilsontried to qualify for theBritish Grand Prix,but did not succeed. In the same year, she won at Brands Hatch in theBritish Aurora F1 championship,becoming the first woman to win a Formula 1 race. As of 2024,she is only female driver to win a Formula One race of any kind. As a result of this achievement, Wilson has a grandstand at Brands Hatch named after her.[17][18][19][20][21]

As of October 2024,the last woman to have driven in a Formula One Grand Prix event was Italian formerFormula 3000driverGiovanna Amati,who was signed toBrabhamat the beginning of the1992season. She failed to qualify for three races in which she was entered. She was replaced byDamon Hill,who also failed to qualify the same car in 6 out of the 8 following races he entered. Brabham's lead driver that season wasEric van de Poele,who only managed to qualify once. After 11 races, the team folded.[22][23]

Drivers

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Official drivers

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Drivers listed in this table are those who have entered a Grand Prix. Actual starts are stated in brackets.

# Name Seasons Teams Entries
(starts) 		Points
1 FilippisItalyMaria Teresa de Filippis 1958–1959 Maserati,Behra-Porsche 05 (3) 40
2 LombardiItalyLella Lombardi 1974–1976 March,RAM,Williams 17 (12) 50.5
3 GalicaUnited KingdomDivina Galica 1976,1978 Surtees,Hesketh 03 (0) 2–
4 WilsonSouth AfricaDesiré Wilson 1980 Williams 01 (0) 3–
5 AmatiItalyGiovanna Amati 1992 Brabham 03 (0) 1–

Test drivers and development drivers

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Test driverSusie Wolffin 2012

Some female drivers have participated in non-competition testing and evaluation sessions with Formula One teams.IndyCardriverSarah Fisherperformed a demonstration run withMcLarenafter first practice for the2002 United States Grand Prix.[24]Katherine Leggetested withMinardiat theVallelunga Circuitin 2005.[25]

Other female drivers have been contracted to Formula One teams in testing and development capacities. In 2012,WilliamssignedSusie Wolffas a development and test driver. Two years later, Wolff became the first woman to take part in a Formula One race weekend in 22 years, when she participated in the first practice session at theBritish Grand PrixatSilverstone;[26]the previous time being in 1992, whenGiovanna Amatiwho was the official Brabham team driver alongside Eric van der Poele, made three unsuccessful Grand Prix qualification attempts. Van der Poele and later Damon Hill, Amatis replacement only managed to qualify the uncompetitive Brabham 3 times out of 18 attempts and the team folded after 11 races.[27][28]María de Villota,the daughter of Spanish Formula One driverEmilio de Villota,was hired as a test driver forMarussia[29]until her crash in 2012 at theDuxford Aerodromeduring a straightline test. De Villota died from her injuries the following year.[30]In 2014,SaubersignedIndyCar SeriesdriverSimona de Silvestroas an "affiliated driver", with the goal of having her compete in 2015.[31]In 2015Lotus F1signedCarmen Jordáto a deal including a run in a car.[32]

Sauber signed Colombian driverTatiana Calderónas development driver for 2017.[33]Calderón was promoted from her development driver role to test driver for the 2018 season, and tested an F1 car for the first time with Sauber in Mexico in October 2018.[34][35]

In 2019,Williams Driver Academysigned leadingW SeriescontenderJamie Chadwickas a development driver for the Williams F1 team.[36]Chadwick later won the2019 W Series championship,the2021 W Series championshipand the2022 W Series championship,and continued as a Williams development driver in 2022.[37]

In September 2023,Aston Martindriver ambassadorJessica Hawkinstested a 2021-spec F1 car at theHungaroring.[38]

Milestones

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See also

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References

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  1. ^abSlotnik, Daniel (January 16, 2016)."Maria Teresa de Filippis, Pioneer of Auto Racing, Dies at 89".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on March 10, 2024.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  2. ^"1958 FRENCH GRAND PRIX - RACE RESULT".Formula 1.Formula One Group.Archivedfrom the original on October 6, 2024.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  3. ^"F1: Primeira mulher a pilotar um Formula 1 é" estrela "em Portimão"[F1: First woman to pilot a Formula 1 car is "star" in Portimão] (in Portuguese). Autoportal. October 12, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon May 4, 2013.RetrievedJuly 27,2015.
  4. ^"Escocesa é a primeira mulher a participar de treino oficial da F1 em 22 anos"[Scot is the first woman to take part in official F1 training in 22 years].JC(in Portuguese).UOL.July 4, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon January 27, 2016.RetrievedJuly 27,2015.
  5. ^"Maria Teresa de Filippis • Career & Character Info".Motorsport Database -Motor Sport Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on May 18, 2024.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  6. ^Eve, James (March 5, 2006)."Maria Teresa De Filippis".The Observer.Guardian Media Group.Archivedfrom the original on August 6, 2024.RetrievedJuly 27,2015.At first they thought I wouldn't be able to compete, but then I went all the way to Formula One. The only time I was prevented from racing was at the French Grand Prix. The race director said: 'The only helmet a woman should wear is the one at the hairdresser's.' Apart from that I don't think I encountered any prejudice - only surprise at my success.
  7. ^Williams, Richard (January 11, 2016)."Maria Teresa de Filippis".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  8. ^Aziz, Ishani, ed. (April 27, 2020)."Paradise lost: Montjuïc and the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix".Motor Sport.RetrievedSeptember 16,2024.McLaren'sJochen Mass,who just happened to be leading the few remaining runners at the stoppage, got his only grand prix victory, while Lella Lombardi became still the only female F1 points scorer (or, rather, half-a-point scorer due to the shortened race).
  9. ^"1975 SPANISH GRAND PRIX - RACE RESULT".Formula 1.Formula One Group.April 27, 1975.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2024.RetrievedSeptember 16,2024.
  10. ^Baldwain, Alan (May 5, 2015)."Lombardi feat was mere footnote to tragic 1975 race".Reuters.Archivedfrom the original on March 29, 2024.RetrievedJuly 27,2015.Finishing sixth, two laps behind McLaren winnerJochen Massin a race stopped at one third distance with only half points awarded, was Italian Maria Grazia 'Lella' Lombardi in her March car.
  11. ^"Espanhola é esperança de presença feminina na F1 após 20 anos"[Spanish is hope of female presence in F1 after 20 years].Esporte - Automobilismo(in Portuguese).iG.August 23, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon January 27, 2016.RetrievedJuly 27,2015.
  12. ^abMicheletti, Marcos Junior."Lella Lombardi".Terceiro Tempo.Universo Online.Archivedfrom the original on March 26, 2023.RetrievedJuly 27,2015.
  13. ^abJacques, Fábio (May 11, 2012)."Coluna La Rascasse: As mulheres e a Fórmula 1"(in Portuguese). F1Mania. Archived fromthe originalon May 2, 2013.RetrievedJuly 27,2015.
  14. ^"Formula One's other half-point races".ESPN.Reuters.August 29, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on October 24, 2021.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  15. ^"Women in Formula One".formula1-dictionary.net.RetrievedJuly 27,2015.
  16. ^Baldwin, Alan (May 7, 2015)."Women in F1: still a distant dream? - IOL Motoring F1 Grand Prix".IOL.Archivedfrom the original on November 5, 2018.RetrievedJuly 27,2015.
  17. ^"Desiré Wilson: Formula 1's trailblazing driver".SilverstoneInteractive Museum.October 4, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on December 8, 2021.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  18. ^"Desire Wilson • Career & Character Info".Motorsport Database -Motor Sport Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on July 20, 2024.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  19. ^Feltham, Luke (February 20, 2020)."Desiré Wilson: Fast but forgotten".The Mail & Guardian.M&G Media Ltd.Archivedfrom the original on May 28, 2024.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  20. ^Diepraam, Mattijs (October 1998)."F1's only female winner".FORIX 8W.Autosport.RetrievedJanuary 21,2012.
  21. ^"Desire Wilson: The story of F1's only race-winning woman - F1 Fanatic".F1 Fanatic. February 26, 2014.RetrievedJuly 27,2015.
  22. ^"Lembra se de...Giovanna Amati?".Autosport.pt. September 8, 2008.RetrievedJuly 27,2015.[permanent dead link]
  23. ^"Giovanna Amati - F1 Driver Profile".ESPN UK.RetrievedJuly 27,2015.[dead link]
  24. ^"Sarah Fisher to drive McLaren".Autosport.Haymarket Publications.September 19, 2002.RetrievedMarch 16,2014.
  25. ^"Katherine Legge makes Minardi debut".F1.November 23, 2005.RetrievedMarch 16,2014.
  26. ^"British Grand Prix 2014: Susie Wolff the first woman to take part in a Formula One race weekend in 22 years".Independent.July 4, 2014.
  27. ^Elizalde, Pablo (April 11, 2012)."Susie Wolff joins Williams as development driver".Autosport.Haymarket Publications.RetrievedApril 13,2012.
  28. ^Noble, Jonathan (July 15, 2013)."Wolff, Juncadella join Williams for young driver test at Silverstone".Autosport.Haymarket Publications.RetrievedAugust 4,2013.
  29. ^"Maria de Villota joins Marussia F1 team as test driver for the 2012 season".Autosport. March 7, 2012.RetrievedApril 13,2012.
  30. ^"Former Formula One test driver Maria de Villota dies".USA Today.Associated Press. October 11, 2013.RetrievedOctober 12,2013.
  31. ^Press Association(February 14, 2014)."Sauber hire IndyCar driver Simona de Silvestro to prepare her for F1".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on March 26, 2024.RetrievedFebruary 15,2014.
  32. ^Autosport(February 26, 2014)."F1: Lotus signs Jorda to development role".Racer.Archived fromthe originalon January 27, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 26,2014.
  33. ^Benson, Andrew (February 28, 2017)."Tatiana Calderon: Sauber sign Colombian as development driver for 2017".BBC Sport.RetrievedMarch 2,2017.
  34. ^Klein, Jamie (March 6, 2018)."Tatiana Calderon gets expanded Sauber Formula 1 team role".Autosport.Autosport Media UK.RetrievedMarch 6,2018.
  35. ^Smith, Luke (October 31, 2018)."Tatiana Calderon hails 'incredible experience' after maiden F1 test".Crash.net.RetrievedNovember 6,2018.
  36. ^"Jamie Chadwick joins Williams Racing Driver Academy".williamsf1.Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 24,2019.
  37. ^"Rokit Williams Racing: Jamie Chadwick".Williams F1.Archived fromthe originalon January 27, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 27,2020.
  38. ^"Jessica Hawkins completes debut F1 test with AMF1 Team".Aston Martin F1.September 26, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on October 1, 2024.RetrievedSeptember 30,2023.
  39. ^Eve, James (March 5, 2006)."Maria Teresa De Filippis".The Observer.Guardian Media Group.Archivedfrom the original on August 6, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 27,2020.
  40. ^"GPGuide – Driver Profile: Maria Teresa de Filippis".Archived fromthe originalon January 26, 2016.RetrievedAugust 4,2013.
  41. ^Bouzanquet, Jean François (2009).Fast Ladies: Female Racing Drivers 1888 to 1970.Dorchester: Veloce Publishing Ltd.ISBN9781845842253.LCCN2020415446.RetrievedJanuary 27,2020– viaInternet Archive.
  42. ^"1976 British Grand Prix - Race Result".Formula 1.Formula One Group.Archivedfrom the original on October 6, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 27,2020.
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