Driven to Win
The Trailblazing Women Who Rewrote Motorsport History
Motorsport has long been seen as a man’s world — roaring engines, oil-streaked overalls, and podiums dominated by male drivers.
But behind the scenes and on the track, some of the most determined and fearless competitors were women, carving out space in an arena that didn’t welcome them with open arms.
These female drivers didn’t just compete — they rewrote the rules, proving that skill, stamina, and spirit know no gender.
Maria Teresa de Filippis: The First Woman in Formula 1
In 1958, Maria Teresa de Filippis made history as the first woman to start a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Behind the wheel of a Maserati 250F, she defied sceptics who told her she was “too pretty to race.” Her answer? She outpaced most of the field in Italy’s demanding sports car circuits and held her own in a fiercely competitive era of racing.
Though her F1 career was brief, de Filippis was never deterred by the danger or the chauvinism. She once famously said, “They said I was too fast to be a woman. It was not my fault I was beating them.” That attitude captures the essence of what it meant to be a woman in motorsport at the time -resilient, unapologetic, and faster than doubt.
Michèle Mouton: The Queen of Rally
Fast-forward to the 1980s, and Michèle Mouton was redefining what was possible in the world of rallying. Driving the fire-breathing Audi Quattro, she stunned fans and silenced critics by winning four World Rally Championship events and finishing runner-up in the 1982 season — the highest WRC finish ever by a female driver.
Mouton wasn’t just competing with men — she was beating them on the world’s toughest rally stages. Her raw speed, technical ability, and fearless commitment to every corner made her a legend. “Being a woman is no handicap,” she said. “The only thing that counts is performance.” At Turismo Watches, we couldn’t agree more.
Lella Lombardi: Points Under Pressure
Lella Lombardi remains the only woman in history to have scored points in a Formula 1 World Championship race. In the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, amid chaos and tragedy, she drove with exceptional poise to finish sixth. She did it not in a top-tier car or with a powerhouse team, but through talent and tenacity alone.
Lombardi’s journey was never easy — scraping together sponsorship, overcoming stereotypes, and competing in an era when women were often dismissed before they even reached the grid. But she didn’t ask for special treatment. She asked for the same chance — and proved she deserved it.
Unsung Heroes, Timeless Inspiration
These women — and many others like them — were more than just drivers.
They were pioneers.
They raced not only against time and competition, but against a world that told them they didn’t belong. In doing so, they opened the road for generations to follow, including modern stars like Susie Wolff, Jamie Chadwick, and Tatiana Calderón.
At Turismo Watch Co., we see their stories as more than just motorsport milestones. They are testaments to grit, focus, and performance under pressure.
Much like our watches, these women weren’t always recognised by the mainstream. But they outperformed expectations, stayed true to their mission, and proved that excellence doesn’t need permission to exist.
We don’t chase hype or heritage for its own sake. Like the women of classic racing, we believe in purpose over prestige.
In a world of oversized egos and overbuilt machines, the real legends are the ones who show up, do the job, and keep going — lap after lap.
Turismo Watches — For Those Who Perform Beyond the Headlines.