Maria Teresa de Filippis, a Story of Tenacity, Courage, and Audacity in Motorsport

Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first woman to qualify for a Formula 1 Grand Prix, at the wheel of a Maserati 250F. Hers is a story of passion and daring, and that is why Maserati celebrates her achievements on the occasion of International Women’s Day, March 8.

Maria Teresa de Filippis was born in Naples in 1926 and decided to enter the world of motorsport almost as a challenge. In 1948 she participated in her first race; At only 22 years old, she won the 10 km Salerno-Cava de ‘Tirreni, a 500cc class in the touring car category, decisively surpassing her male companions.

That first victory ignited her passion for racing and the following year she triumphed in various competitions in the 750cc class.

During 1953 and 1954 she went on to an Oscar 1100 cc in which she won the 12 Hours of Pescara, the Trullo d’Oro, the Catania-Etna, and the Caserta and Siracusa circuits.

Maria Teresa de Filippis transitioned to a Maserati 2000 A6GCS in 1955. In an article she later wrote about her racing years, she said: “A powerful car that I felt I could do anything with … and I…