Maria Teresa de Filippis, First Woman to Participate in a Formula 1 Grand Prix

While it is true that other women got behind the wheel of Grand Prix cars in the 1920s and 1930s, such as Czech Elisabeth Junek or especially Frenchwoman Mariette Hélène Delangle, better known as Hellé Nice, it is Italian Maria Teresa de Filippis who holds the honor of being the first female driver to participate in a World Championship Formula 1 Grand Prix, created in 1950.

Belonging to an aristocratic Italian family, she was born in Naples on November 11, 1926. Very fond of sports in general and cars in particular, she was a strong-willed and determined child. As soon as she could, she obtained her driver's license and showed good skills behind the wheel. Her two older brothers challenged her, saying she would never drive fast enough to compete.

Far from being intimidated, Maria Teresa entered a Salerno-Cava dei Tirreni race with a Fiat 500 S, the popular Topolino, where she surprised everyone by taking first place in her category. Not content with that, after two more races, she sold the Topolino and acquired an Urania (a car with a Fiat chassis and a BMW motorcycle engine) to compete in the 750 Sport category, very popular in post-war Italy. In 1949, Maria Teresa and her Urania achieved three victories and three second places in regional events, erasing many smiles from those who thought it was just a rich girl's whim. Thus, "Pilotino," as she was known, began to be feared in the races she participated in. That same year she entered the legendary Targa Florio in Sicily with a Fiat 1100.

In 1950 she continued with the small Urania and gradually gained experience by taking part in renowned races such as the Mille Miglia, the Coppa Ascoli, or the Giro di Sicilia, among others. During this time, she began a romantic relationship with the cultured and refined Luigi Musso, a brilliant driver very attractive to women but with a complicated personal life. That year she finished ninth at Collemaggio, twelfth at Modena, and sixth at the Circuito di Senigallia.

In 1951 she was ninth at Castello, third at the Coppa Ascoli, and fourth at the Gran Premio di Cidonio.

Throughout 1952, Maria Teresa and Luigi Musso continued their relationship despite Musso being married. They traveled around Italy with a small Giaur (another artisanal brand created by the same founder of Urania), although Musso also drove some Maseratis and Fiats.

In the 1952 season they replaced the Giaur with an Osca 1100, larger and faster than its predecessor but also more fragile and prone to breaking down. De Filippis could not finish at the Coppa Montenero di Senigallia but achieved excellent results in other races such as fifth at Avellino or second place at the Circuito di Sassari.

At the end of 1953 her relationship with Luigi Musso ended but they maintained a good and sincere friendship.

In 1954 she alternated between driving an Osca 100 and a Maserati A6GS. She won a race in Sardinia, qualified for the Gran Premio di Napoli, won the Catania-Etna race, and finished thirteenth at the Giro di Sicilia. That year she had a spectacular accident at Mugello where she fell off a cliff but fortunately got caught on a tree before crashing to the bottom.

In 1955 she only raced with Maserati participating in the Mille Miglia and finishing ninth at the Targa Florio.

At the beginning of 1956 she moved to Argentina to participate in the Buenos Aires 1000 Kilometers. During this race she suddenly encountered a lagging car; trying to avoid it at all costs, she went off track and out of her car (at that time seat belts were unheard of) violently hitting a telegraph pole. Fortunately only fracturing her shoulder after some recovery time returned to competition.

Musso facilitated her contract with Scuderia Centro Sud to race with a Maserati 250F in some non-championship Grands Prix as preparation for making her big leap. She went very fast achieving good results like fifth place at Syracuse behind Musso Bonnier Spaniard Paco Godia Horace Gould.

The sensations were good and during the 1958 season felt ready for championship Grands Prix behind Maserati's wheel debuting on May 18th Monaco failing qualify finishing twenty-second outside required top percentage times.

On June fifteenth made history Belgian Grand Prix De Filippis qualified nineteenth becoming first woman participate World Championship event showing skills finishing tenth difficult Spa Francorchamps circuit.

July sixth French Grand Prix Reims unable even practice due organizers rejecting entry protesting received response "only helmet woman should wear hairdresser's" overshadowed tragic loss friend Luigi Musso Ferrari crash same day.

August twenty-fourth Portuguese Grand Prix Porto urban circuit easily qualified engine failure after six laps ended race prematurely.

Next September seventh home country Monza magnificent race mechanical failure thirteen laps from end while running fourth potentially becoming first woman score points if finished position.

Season challenging deaths three drivers (Musso Collins Stuart Lewis-Evans) deeply affected decided however persuaded French driver Jean Behra join team running own cars based Porsche-Behra F2 Monaco failed qualify same car non-championship British Empire Trophy Silverstone retired mechanical issues last competition appearance August Behra fatal accident Berlin AVUS circuit prompting retirement from racing daughter born year later.

Years later reconnected Formula One world late seventies joining International Club Former F1 Grand Prix Drivers dividing time between association activities Maserati Club presidency classic car exhibitions two grandchildren passing away January eighty-nine years old pioneering achievements remembered always.