Maria Teresa de Filippis: The First Woman to Race in F1

Formula One has long been a male-dominated sport, but in 1958, Maria Teresa de Filippis shattered expectations by becoming the first woman to compete in a Formula One Grand Prix. In an era when motorsport was even more dangerous than it is today, and attitudes towards women in racing were overwhelmingly dismissive, de Filippis defied the odds and proved that female drivers were more than capable of handling the brutal speeds and intense competition of F1.

Breaking Barriers in a Man’s World

Born in 1926 in Naples, Italy, Maria Teresa de Filippis began racing in her early twenties, initially competing in hill climbs and sports car events. Her talent quickly became evident, and by the mid-1950s, she was racing competitively in Formula 2 machinery. She claimed several victories in lower formulae, including an impressive performance in a 1954 10-kilometre sports car race, where she outpaced her male competitors to win outright. Her success on the track helped her gain recognition, but breaking into Formula One was an entirely different challenge, not just in terms of driving ability but also because of the entrenched sexism within the sport.

Despite the obstacles, de Filippis made history in 1958 when she entered the Monaco Grand Prix driving a Maserati 250F. Though she failed to qualify for the race due to the notoriously difficult circuit and the fierce competition, she remained undeterred. That same year, she successfully qualified and competed in five Grand Prix events, making her official F1 debut at the Belgian Grand Prix. Finishing tenth in her first race, she demonstrated remarkable skill and bravery, holding her own in a sport that was openly hostile towards women. She also competed in the Portuguese, Italian, and Moroccan Grands Prix, navigating the immense physical and mental challenges posed by the unforgiving circuits of the time.

Facing Relentless Sexism

Racing in the 1950s was a perilous endeavour for any driver, but for a woman, the challenges extended beyond the track. De Filippis encountered relentless misogyny throughout her career. One race director infamously told her, “The only helmet a woman should wear is the one at the hairdresser.” These attitudes reflected the widespread belief at the time that women were too fragile, both physically and mentally, to compete in high-speed motorsport.

Yet de Filippis proved otherwise. Driving powerful and physically demanding cars with no power steering or modern safety features, she competed against some of the greatest drivers of the era, including five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio. Fangio became a mentor to her, recognising her determination and ability. He famously advised her to take fewer risks on track, acknowledging the aggressive style she employed to prove herself against the male competition. Her ability to control the Maserati 250F, a car known for its raw power and difficulty to handle, dispelled the myth that women could not manage the rigours of F1.

Her performance was particularly impressive given that safety standards at the time were rudimentary at best. Circuits were lined with little more than hay bales, cars had no seatbelts, and driver fatalities were alarmingly common. For a woman to step into this environment and compete on equal footing with male drivers was an extraordinary feat.

Life After Formula One

Despite her pioneering achievements, de Filippis’ time in Formula One was short-lived. She retired from the sport in 1959 after the tragic death of her fellow driver and friend, Jean Behra. The dangers of racing, coupled with the barriers she faced as a woman, led her to step away from the cockpit.

However, she remained involved in motorsport for decades. Later in life, she became a key figure in the FIA’s Women & Motor Sport Commission, working to encourage female participation in racing. She also served as the Vice President of the International Club of Former F1 Grand Prix Drivers, continuing to be an advocate for diversity in motorsport. Her contributions helped pave the way for future generations of women in motorsport, including Lella Lombardi, who in 1975 became the first and only woman to score points in an F1 race.

In interviews later in her life, de Filippis reflected on the immense challenges she faced. She acknowledged that while her era had been particularly hostile towards women in racing, the struggle for gender equality in motorsport was far from over. She remained an inspirational figure, encouraging young women to persist despite the barriers still present in the sport.

A Legacy of Courage and Determination

Maria Teresa de Filippis' career may have been brief, but her impact on Formula One was profound. She proved that women could compete at the highest level of motorsport, challenging deeply ingrained prejudices in an era when few dared to do so. Her story remains an inspiration for women striving to break barriers in male-dominated fields, reminding us that courage and determination can drive change, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.

Though she passed away in 2016, de Filippis’ legacy endures. As discussions around diversity and inclusion in motorsport continue, her pioneering efforts serve as a reminder of how far the sport has come, and how much further it still has to go. She was not just a trailblazer; she was a fighter who refused to accept the limitations society tried to place upon her. Today, as more women push for opportunities in motorsport, her story stands as a powerful testament to resilience, passion, and the unbreakable spirit of those who dare to defy expectations.