Motor Racing: The sisters of speed: A brief history

Two who made it

Maria Teresa de Filippis

The pioneer. Became the first woman to start a world championship grand prix at Spa in Belgium in 1958 in a Maserati 250F, as a protegee of her promising Ferrari-driving Italian compatriot Luigi Musso. This was also the last grand prix she finished (in 10th), her subsequent efforts ending in retirements in Portugal and Italy.

Lella Lombardi

The only woman ever to register a points finish in a grand prix, earning half a point for sixth place in the shortened Spanish Grand Prix in 1975. A former saloon car champion in her native Italy, Lombardi earned a full grand prix season with the March team in 1975. She subsequently won in sportscars before her death from cancer at the age of 48 in 1992.

Davina Galica

The British former international skier who made three attempts to qualify for world championship Formula One events in outmoded Surtees and Hesketh cars in 1976 and 1978. She later combined her talents as a downhill speed- skier.

Desire Wilson

A South African who became the first woman ever to win a Formula One race in a round of the British national Formula One series in a Williams FW07 at Brands Hatch in 1980. Failed to qualify for the world championship Grand Prix at the same circuit in the same year.

Giovanna Amati

The most recent woman would-be graduate to the top level, the Italian endeavoured to lug an out-moded Brabham into the first three races of 1992. Later a certain D Hill was to prove more successful in the same car.