5 Fastest Female Drivers in Motorsport History

Maria Teresa de Filippis

Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first woman to race in Formula One, competing in five grand prix between 1958 and 1959.

She was born in Naples and started racing at the age of 22 when her two brothers bet against her capacity to drive faster than them. She could. De Filippis won her maiden race on the Amalfi coast in a Fiat 500 and advanced to F1.

In 2006, she said, “The only time I was prevented from racing was at the French Grand Prix.” The race director stated, ‘The only helmet a woman should wear is the one at the hairdresser’. Aside from that, I don’t believe I experienced any bias – only surprise at my achievement.”

Lella Lombardi

Lella Lombardi is the only female driver to have scored points in Formula One, finishing sixth at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix. The race was reduced from 75 to 29 circuits due to an accident that killed five spectators, resulting in only half points being awarded. So Lombardi got half a point for her efforts.

Starting her career as a delivery driver for the family business, the Italian, who died of cancer in 1992, competed in 12 Formula One races. Lombardi’s ‘competitive spirit’ blazed a precedent, inspiring other women to consider motorsport as a career option. Thank you so much, signora.

Michele Mouton

The best female driver ever? Michele Mouton won four rallies for Audi and finished second in the world championship in 1982, trailing Walter Rohrl. In 1986, Mouton also won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, setting a new course record.

“One of the best” in the eyes of Sir Stirling Moss and a “superwoman” according to Niki Lauda, Mouton began her career on the slopes of the French Riviera in a Citroen 2CV at the age of 14, but didn’t get into rallying until she was asked by a friend at 19. Queen of Speed, an Emmy-winning documentary from 2022, chronicles her ascent to stardom.

Desire Wilson

The South African Driver Desire Wilson began racing with midget cars, but is undoubtedly one of the fastest female drivers, the most accomplished and unfortunate female racer, with multiple qualification attempts ending in engine failure or other mechanical concerns.

Wilson, one of five women who have entered (but not raced) in a grand prix, failed to qualify for the British GP in 1980. Wilson had better success in the short-lived British Aurora Formula One series, where she won the chequered flag at Brands Hatch. As a result, one of the circuit’s grandstands was named for her.

Jutta Kleinschmidt

Jutta Kleinschmidt, is also in the list of fastest female drivers initially competed in the Dakar Rally on two wheels in 1988, and it is widely regarded as one of the toughest motor races in the world. In 2001, the German won the car category in a Mitsubishi Pajero with co-driver Andreas Schulz, becoming the first woman to win the rally.

“This is unbelievable. The automobile was quite solid, but not the fastest. But we made no navigational or driving mistakes,” Kleinschmidt stated after the race.

She has subsequently competed in the electric off-road series Extreme E alongside fellow Dakar champion Nasser Al-Attiyah.

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