Lella Lombardi: Women's F1 Pioneer and F1 Academy Legacy

Lella Lombardi's Trailblazing Journey

Born March 26, 1941, in Frugarolo, Italy, Maria Grazia "Lella" Lombardi made history as the only woman to score points in a Formula 1 World Championship race. Driving delivery vans for her family's butcher shop, her love for speed sparked after a thrilling high-speed car ride to the hospital following a handball match injury in her youth. From karting to F1, Lombardi defied gender norms in a male-dominated sport, leaving a legacy until her passing from breast cancer in 1992 at age 50.

Early Racing Success

Lombardi's talent shone early. She won the Italian Formula 850 Series title in 1970 and the Ford Mexico Championship in 1971, after a runner-up finish in Italian Formula Three in 1968. In 1974, she raced at Brands Hatch's Race of Champions, earning the Daily Mail's "Tigress of Turin" moniker. Her third-place finish in Formula 5000 at Sandown Park, rivaling James Hunt, proved her prowess.

Breaking F1 Barriers

In 1974, Lombardi attempted her F1 debut at the British Grand Prix but failed to qualify. Joining March Engineering in 1975 with backing from Italian coffee company Lavazza, she became the second woman after Maria Teresa de Filippis to race in F1. At the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, a tragic crash stopped the race after 29 laps, awarding half points. Lombardi's sixth place earned her a historic 0.5 points. She raced 12 Grands Prix total, with a best non-points finish of seventh in Germany, ending her F1 career with 12th in Austria in 1976.

Success in Sports Cars

After F1, Lombardi excelled in sports car racing. In 1979, she became the first woman to win an FIA Championship event, taking the the Pergusa and Vallelunga 6 Hours races. She competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, achieving ninth in 1976, and joined NASCAR's 1977 Firecracker 400 with Janet Guthrie. In the 1980s, she raced in the European Touring Car Championship retiring in 1988 after founding Lombardi Autosport, which continued after her passing.

Women in Motorsport Today

Lombardi's era saw few women in motorsport due to funding and bias barriers, as did pioneers like de Filippis and IndyCar's Danica Patrick. Launched in 2023, the F1 Academy fosters female talent with €150,000 subsidies per car and F1 team support. Drivers like 2023 champion Marta García and Abi Pulling race on circuits spanning Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi, building on Lombardi's legacy to promote motorsport equality.

F1 Academy's Vision

Led by Susie Wolff, a former Williams test driver, the F1 Academy addresses sponsorship and experience gaps. Wolff's Dare To Be Different initiative and the Academy's collaboration with Champions of the Future karting series encourage young girls to race, paving a path to F1 for women. Drivers like Bianca Bustamante carry forward Lombardi's legacy.

A Legacy of Courage

As one of three openly LGBTQ+ F1 drivers, Lombardi lived fearlessly with her partner Fiorenza. Her half-point in F1 remains unmatched, but the F1 Academy signals progress. By empowering female F1 drivers and challenge stereotypes, it ensures women like Lombardi can inspire future generations to race toward a more equal future.