Lella Lombardi: The Only Woman to Score F1 Championship Points

Formula One has long been a male-dominated sport, with barriers, both institutional and cultural, keeping women from breaking into the highest levels of motorsport. But in the 1970s, one woman defied the odds and carved her name into F1 history. Lella Lombardi remains the only female driver to score points in a Formula One World Championship race, a record that has stood unchallenged for decades. Her story is one of grit, determination, and immense talent, proving that women have always been capable of competing at the pinnacle of motorsport.

From Working-Class Roots to the World Stage

Born in 1941 in Frugarolo, a small town in northern Italy, Maria Grazia "Lella" Lombardi came from humble beginnings. Her father was a butcher, and her early exposure to motorsport was unconventional, she learned to drive delivering meat in the family van. But racing was in her blood, and despite limited financial resources, she worked tirelessly to build a career in motorsport.

Unlike many of her male counterparts, who had family wealth or sponsorship backing, Lombardi’s journey was one of persistence and self-made success. She started in touring cars and Formula 3, where she proved her ability behind the wheel, often competing against, and beating, far more experienced male drivers. Her talent caught the attention of team owners, and she made the step up to Formula 5000 before ultimately securing a seat in Formula One.

Breaking Barriers in Formula One

Lombardi made her F1 debut in 1974, driving for the small Allied Polymer Group team in the British Grand Prix. Though her first outing was cut short due to mechanical failure, her skill and determination were evident. In 1975, she joined March Engineering, the team with which she would make history.

At the Spanish Grand Prix that year, Lombardi finished sixth, securing half a point, an unprecedented achievement for a female driver in F1. The race itself was overshadowed by tragedy, as a crash led to the deaths of five spectators and forced the race to be stopped early, meaning only half points were awarded. While some have downplayed her success because of this, the fact remains: Lombardi finished ahead of many respected drivers in an era where F1 was brutally competitive and physically demanding.

Beyond Spain, Lombardi competed in several other races in 1975, driving for March and later Williams. However, she was consistently hindered by uncompetitive machinery, racing in underfunded teams that struggled to develop cars capable of fighting for podiums. Despite these limitations, she remained determined, finishing as high as seventh at the German Grand Prix at the fearsome Nürburgring Nordschleife, one of the most challenging circuits in the world. That result was a testament to her skill, as the Nürburgring was a track that separated the great drivers from the merely good.

In 1976, Lombardi continued in F1, driving for RAM Racing and the Brabham-owned works March team. However, poor car performance and financial struggles within the teams meant she never had a real chance to showcase her full potential. Despite making history, she was ultimately unable to secure a long-term place in the sport, a reflection of the financial and institutional barriers faced by women in motorsport.

Battling Sexism in Motorsport

Lombardi’s presence in F1 was a direct challenge to the deeply ingrained sexism of the time. Many in the paddock believed women weren’t strong enough to handle the brutal forces of an F1 car, and she faced condescension from team bosses, rivals, and the media. Yet, she never let it shake her. She wasn’t interested in being a token figure, she was there to race, and she earned her place on pure merit.

Her career in F1 was brief, spanning 17 race entries (12 actual starts) between 1974 and 1976. Limited by underfunded teams and unreliable cars, she never had the machinery to show her full potential. But despite these obstacles, she left an indelible mark on the sport.

Success Beyond F1

After her time in F1, Lombardi didn’t fade into obscurity, she thrived in other racing disciplines. She found success in sports car and endurance racing, competing in events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championship. She won multiple races, proving that her talents extended beyond single-seaters.

Lombardi was particularly successful in the World Sportscar Championship, where she won six races in the Group 5 category. She drove for the Osella team in the 1981 1000 km Monza race, securing victory in her class, showcasing her adaptability to different types of racing machinery. She also competed in NASCAR’s short-lived European division in the late 1970s, becoming the first woman to do so.

Her versatility and ability to transition between different racing disciplines solidified her status as a true motorsport trailblazer. Whether in single-seaters, touring cars, or endurance racing, Lombardi demonstrated time and again that she belonged at the highest levels of competition.

A Quiet Retirement and Enduring Legacy

Lombardi continued racing into the early 1980s before transitioning to team management. She co-founded a women’s racing team, aiming to provide more opportunities for female drivers in motorsport. Though the initiative was short-lived, it reflected her commitment to breaking down barriers for the next generation.

Tragically, Lombardi was diagnosed with cancer in the late 1980s and passed away in 1992 at the age of 50. Despite her untimely death, her legacy endures. She remains an inspiration for women in motorsport, a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity, and a reminder of what could have been if she had been given a competitive car in her F1 career.

A Legacy Still Waiting to Be Matched

Lella Lombardi’s achievements should have been a stepping stone for more women in Formula One, yet decades later, no female driver has replicated her feat of scoring championship points. While women have continued to fight for opportunities in motorsport, the systemic barriers she faced still exist in many ways today.

Her story is one of perseverance and defiance in the face of a sport that, even now, struggles with inclusivity. But her legacy proves that talent knows no gender, and that the right driver, given the right opportunity, can achieve greatness.

As motorsport continues to evolve, Lombardi’s name stands as a reminder that the barriers keeping women out of Formula One are not about ability, but access. And perhaps, one day soon, another woman will follow in her tyre tracks and score points at the highest level of racing once more.