Ave Maria

Look back

Only a handful of female drivers have competed in Formula One. The pioneer figure remains Italy’s Maria Teresa De Fillipis, who took three starts in a privately entered Maserati 250F in 1958. The Napoli-born racer only saw the chequered flag once when she finished 10th at Spa-Francorchamps. Now aged 89, she still takes part in a few classic car shows.