The groundbreaking women who drove in F1

In F1, there is a clear imbalance between men and women, more so than in many other sports.

Looking beyond F1 to other categories of motorsport, grids are just as male-dominated, just as journalists, race officials and team personnel are disproportionately male.

Women have played a small but determined part in F1 right from its origins, overcoming expectations and proving themselves against their male counterparts.

Here we take a look at the six women to have participated in an F1 race weekend, as well as considering what part the W Series could play in bringing more women into F1.

Maria Terese de Filippis

The first woman to take part in an F1 race, Maria Terese de Fillippis was very successful throughout the Italian national championships in various disciplines before gaining the support of five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio, who guided her through the next stages of her career.

In 1958 she had her best F1 finish, achieving 10th at Spa – the fastest circuit on the calendar at that time.

She was a fearless competitor, but that did not stop the director of the French Grand Prix barring her on the grounds of her gender.

Mechanical issues plagued the majority of her five world championship F1 appearances, but did nothing to hinder her reputation of a quick and competent racer.

Lella Lombardi

Lella Lombardi is the woman with the most F1 races under her belt.

She entered 17 races between 1974 and 1976, qualifying for all but one of those 11 grands prix she entered with the March team in 1975.

At the Spanish Grand Prix, she became the only woman to win an F1 point (or, more accurately, half a point), finishing sixth at the Montjuic circuit in Barcelona.

The race was cut short after a Rolf Stommelen’s Hill plunged over the barriers into the crowd, killing five spectators, meaning only half points were awarded for the event.

Divina Galica

A year after first trying out motorsport, Divina Galica was participating in the British Grand Prix weekend in 1976.

Already retired from a career as an Olympic skier, Galica’s pursuit of speed led her to progress quickly from Formula Ford up to F1 level – although, in outdated machinery she failed to qualify for any of the three F1 World Championship events she participated in.

From there she moved into sports car and truck racing, and enjoyed podium success in British Formula One and Shellsport International seires, before eventually returning to skiing for her fourth winter…