They Said Women Couldn't Race - These 12 Prove Them Wrong
- DIVEBOMB Motorsport
- Mar 8
- 7 min read
Written by Ramiza Donlic, Silvia Cojocaru and Poppy Evans, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
For a long time, Motorsport has been perceived as a male-dominated sport. Despite this, several courageous and talented women have defied the odds to leave their mark in this field.
Be it in Formula 1, endurance racing, rallying, or IndyCar, these women have pushed boundaries, proving that skill, determination, and passion transcend gender. From the pioneers who fought for recognition to the modern icons shaping the future, each of these trailblazers has played a crucial role in reshaping motorsport.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate 12 of the most impactful women who have changed the face of racing forever.
The Pioneers who paved the way
Lella Lombardi
Lella Lombardi made history in 1975 as the only woman to ever score points in a Formula 1 Grand Prix, a record that still stands today.
Competing in an era when males overwhelmingly dominated motorsport, Lombardi's performance at the Spanish GP—finishing sixth and earning half a point—proved that women could compete at the highest level.
Her career was not without challenges; Lombardi faced skepticism, limited opportunities and the constant pressure of proving herself. Yet, she never let these obstacles define her. Beyond F1, Lombardi had a successful career in sports car racing.
Maria Teresa de Filippis
Maria Teresa de Filippis was a true pioneer in motorsport, becoming the first woman to ever compete in a Formula 1 race in 1958.
At a time when many believed women were incapable of handling the physical demands of racing, she proved them wrong by qualifying for multiple Grand Prix events. Her debut at the Monaco GP was met with widespread attention, despite imminent struggle to secure a lasting place in the sport.
Facing resistance from teams and the motorsport establishment, de Filippis ultimately retired from racing after just a few years, stating that the motor racing environment’s sheer hostility for women at the time. However, her courage in stepping onto the F1 grid paved the way for future female drivers.
Michelle Mouton
Michele Mouton remains one of the greatest female drivers in motorsport history, making her mark in the brutal world of rally racing. Competing in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in the 1980s, Mouton became the first and only woman to win a WRC event. She finished runner-up in a closely-contested 1982 season, missing out on the title.
A trailblazer, Mouton was known for her fearless driving style and ability to control high-powered rally cars in the most extreme conditions. Beyond her driving career, Mouton continued to contribute to motorsport as an FIA official, working to promote diversity and safety in the sport.
Nevertheless, Mouton’s achievements shattered the stereotype of rallying being too physically demanding for women.
Desiré Wilson
Desiré Wilson holds a unique place in motorsport history as the only woman to win a Formula 1 race, albeit in the British Aurora F1 Championship, a feeder series to the main F1 competition.
Wilson’s success demonstrated women’s competitive nature in high-level single-seater racing, but despite her undeniable talent, she never secured a full-time F1 seat. She later competed in endurance racing, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where she continued to show her ability behind the wheel.
Janet Guthrie
For decades, "Gentlemen, start your engines" was an unquestioned tradition at the Indianapolis 500 — until Janet Guthrie shattered expectations 34 years ago by securing her place on the 33-car grid.
Janet Guthrie broke new ground in American motorsports, becoming the first woman to qualify for both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500. Before turning to racing, Guthrie was an aerospace engineer, making her one of the most intellectually gifted competitors in the sport. She proved her capabilities in IndyCar and NASCAR, competing against some of the biggest names of the era.
Despite facing immense skepticism and even hostility from male counterparts, she persisted, paving the way for future female drivers in the U.S.
Her contributions went beyond her racing career, as she became an advocate for women in motorsport, inspiring a new generation of female racers who would later follow in her footsteps.
Modern Icons of Motorsport
Susie Wolff
“I dared to be different, I want to inspire others to do the same,’ are the words from forty-two year old industry shaker, Susie Wolff. It was at the 2014 British Grand Prix where Wolff became the first woman since 1992 to take part in a F1 weekend, racing as a Williams development driver.
In 2018 Wolff became Formula E outfit Venturi Racing’s team principal and was later offered the position of Chief Executive Officer, driving the team to their best season to date - becoming vice world champions.
You have most likely heard of Girls on Track, the integral campaign set up by Wolff to bring more women and girls both into motorsport and STEM subjects as well as offering a positive representation of the world of motorsport. It is aimed at girls aged between eight and 18, opening up unique opportunities to aid their future careers.
Leading on from this, Wolff became F1 Academy’s managing director in 2023 and has been crucial to the Academy's development, providing racing opportunities for women on a global stage, breaking barriers and turning the traditionally male-centred sport on its head.
It is abundantly clear how Susie Wolff is paving the way for Women in such a male-dominated sport, making them feel seen, heard and welcome. Deservingly, she was honored with an MBE for her contributions, and continues to accomplish in motorsport and for women and their representation.
Hannah Schmitz
Women are not making history just on the race track, but on the pit wall as well. Being with the team for over 13 years, Hannah Schmitz has the role of first strategy engineer at Red Bull Racing, making her one of the most important people in the team.
She is known for her brilliant strategy planning and her ability to adapt in sometimes dire situations, maintaining a calm attitude even in moments of crisis. Therefore, in many cases, Schmitz is the reason behind Red Bull Racing’s outstanding success.
Laura Müller
"They say that race engineers are primarily psychologists," remarks Laura Müller, who recently made history as the first female race engineer in Formula 1.
With a degree in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Munich, Müller began her motorsport career in 2020, working with DragonSpeed in the European Le Mans Series and participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. She further honed her skills with roles at Abt Sportsline in the DTM championship and Manthey Racing, a Porsche-supported team.
In 2022, Müller joined Haas as a performance engineer and, following successful collaboration with Esteban Ocon during the Abu Dhabi tests in late 2024, was promoted to race engineer in 2025, becoming the first woman to hold this position in F1 history.
Team Principal Ayao Komatsu praised her attributes, stating, "She's a pretty determined character, she's very hard-working, and her work ethic is really good." He further highlighted her analytical abilities, noting, "When she sees a problem, she digs deep, and she doesn't stop at the first answer."
Müller's appointment underscores the increasing presence and influence of women in top technical roles within motorsport.
Jamie Chadwick
As a three-time W Series champion, Jamie Chadwick has established herself as one of the most promising female drivers in motorsport.
Her success in W Series opened doors to new opportunities, leading her to Indy NXT, where she continues to develop her skills on the path toward the pinnacle of open-wheel racing.
Simona de Silvestro
Nicknamed "The Iron Maiden," Simona de Silvestro has had a diverse career, competing in IndyCar, Formula E, and Supercars. She was one of the few women to earn an F1 test driver role with Sauber, though she never got the opportunity to race in Formula 1.
Her aggressive driving style and resilience have made her a fan favorite, and she remains one of the most respected female drivers in the sport.
Sarah Fisher
An important figure in both IndyCar and NASCAR, Sarah Fisher made her mark in the motorsport community. At just 19 years old, she became the third and youngest woman to compete in the Indianapolis 500, and she now holds the record for the fastest woman to qualify for the race. She continued her career by becoming the youngest woman to step on an IndyCar podium and the youngest woman to lead a lap.
Her NASCAR endeavors were nothing short of impressive either. She was named Rookie of the Year, having a highest finish of third and becoming the first woman to lead a lap in a NASCAR West Series.
After her retirement from racing, Fisher focused on establishing her own IndyCar team and, in 2022, she was appointed to the National Women's Business Council. The mother of two aspiring racers, you may sometimes catch Sarah Fisher as a pace car driver in IndyCar.
Cristina Oprea
Romanian rally driver and creator of the platform “Femei în motorsport” (“Women in motorsport”), Cristina Oprea uses her voice to uplift other young women who want to enter the racing world.
During her degree in architecture, Oprea started working for the Romanian Motorsport Federation, where she got the opportunity to step into a rally car for the first time. She later became a racer in the Dacia Cup series and, together with co-driver Ioana Stan, managed to achieve the highest finish for a female racer in the series since 2007.
Oprea is also a symbol for her country, making history as the first female pairing in 50 years to represent Romania at an international rally competition, when her and Diana Hațegan took part in the Sliven Rally in Bulgaria. She was also named the national representative of the FIA Women in Motorsport commission in Romania in 2021.
She continues to inspire young women, especially through her personal vlog where she shares her vulnerable experiences while navigating the motorsport world.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Women in Motorsport
Women in motorsport have come a long way, but there is still progress to be made. While the path to Formula 1 and other top series remains difficult, initiatives like the F1 Academy and the W Series are creating new opportunities.
While these 12 women have left an undeniable mark on motorsport history, they represent just a fraction of the incredible talent that has graced the racing world. From engineers and team principals to up-and-coming drivers working their way through the ranks, countless women continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in motorsport.
The fight for equality in racing is far from over, but with every lap, podium, and championship victory, these women—and many more—prove that motorsport belongs to everyone.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s recognize the women who have paved the way and support those who will shape the future of racing.
Who do you think will be the next great female star in motorsport?
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