Italian · Piacenza, Italy · Born 11 November 1926Italian Formula 1 racing driver who became the first woman to compete in F1 World Championship races, breaking significant gender barriers in motorsport.
The first woman to start a Formula 1 World Championship race — competed in three Grands Prix in 1958 and 1959, a pioneer of extraordinary courage who broke into the most dangerous and male-dominated sport in the world. Formula 1 combines driver skill with engineering excellence to produce performance at the absolute limit of what is physically possible. Career highlights included First woman to start an F1 World Championship race (1958), Three F1 World Championship starts, Pioneer of women in motorsport. What distinguished Maria was consistency of performance at the highest level — competing with and against the very best while maintaining standards across an extended career in formula1. Few athletes in formula1 combined consistency and peak performance as effectively across the full span of a long and distinguished career.
First woman to start an F1 World Championship race
How They Played
Determined and skilled driver who competed at highest level
Lasting Impact
Pioneer who broke gender barriers in Formula 1 racing
Career Honours
- First woman to start an F1 World Championship race (1958)
- Three F1 World Championship starts
- Pioneer of women in motorsport
| Constructor | Season(s) | Races |
|---|---|---|
| Maserati (Private Entrant) | 1955–1958 | 5 |
| Behra-Porsche | 1959 | 1 |
| Career Total | — | 6 |
Italian Athletes