10 trailblazing women of F1 past and present

F1.com has marked International Women's Day by shining a spotlight on the influential women who have shaped Formula 1's history, current landscape, and future trajectory. With the F1 ACADEMY, now in its fourth year, playing a crucial role in nurturing female talent and inspiring young girls at grassroots levels, the motorsport world is witnessing a significant increase in women's participation. The celebration revisits the legacies of pioneers like Maria Teresa de Filippis, the first woman to compete in an F1 championship race in 1958, and Lella Lombardi, who made history by scoring half a point in 1975. More recently, Susie Wolff broke a long drought by participating in a free practice session for Williams in 2014, and has since become the Managing Director of F1 ACADEMY, furthering female involvement. The sport has also seen women rise to prominent leadership roles, with Monisha Kaltenborn becoming F1's first female Team Principal at Sauber and Claire Williams serving as Deputy Team Principal for Williams, achieving notable team successes. Beyond the track, women are excelling in critical operational roles. Hannah Schmitz, Head of Strategy at Red Bull, has been instrumental in numerous victories with her crucial decision-making. Haas recently promoted Laura Mueller to Race Engineer for Esteban Ocon, making her the first woman to hold such a position in F1. Her "determined character" has already earned praise. Looking ahead, both Mueller and Schmitz will be further celebrated with a dedicated corner named after them at the Australian Grand Prix, as part of the "In Her Corner" initiative. The F1 ACADEMY has already produced impressive champions, including Marta Garcia, the inaugural winner, Abbi Pulling, who secured a record-breaking nine wins in 2024, and Doriane Pin, the 2025 champion who is set to become a Mercedes F1 Development Driver. These stories collectively underscore the growing and undeniable impact of women across all facets of Formula 1.