Photo by Philipp Fahlbusch via Pexels
Many of F1 fans probably never heard of her name, Lella Lombardi wrote history, something stays on for 50 years and no female was able to achieve this in F1.
We have seen in the past many female drivers to compete in F1 like, Maria Teresa de Filippis, Divina Galica, but she was different from all the other, with 17 race but only 12 race starts.
The name of Lella Lombardi stands out not just for her achievements, but for her sheer determination and the barriers she shattered as a woman in a male dominated sport.
She was an Italian racing driver, made her mark in F1 in the ’70s, becoming the only female driver to ever score points in F1 race, but her story is about more than just numbers and records, it is about resilience, talent, the courage to race against the odds.
Before F1
She was competing at Formula Monza in 1965, she bought a car to compete before joining Italian Formula Three in 1968, where she finished runner-up to Franco Bernabei.
Lombardi did not stop there, she started competing at the Italian Formula 850, she won the title after winning four races out of 10 in 1970.
In 1971, another title, now at Formula Ford in Mexico, world already knew, she will be the first woman to be close to the greatest drivers.
Getting to F1…
Lella Lombardi entered F1 in 1974, the racing world was still largely unwelcoming to women, and opportunities for female drivers were few and far between, despite the obstacles, her skills behind the wheel quickly became apparent.
Lombardi competed in 17 races in Formula 1 over the course of three seasons, from 1974 to 1976, while she did not have luxury of driving for a top tier team or racing with most competitive cars, she carved a place for herself on the grid.
Her greatest achievement came in 1975 at the Spanish GP, when she finished in sixth place, though the race was cut short due to a tragic accident, many people lost their life during that race, her performance was enough to earn her half a point, making her the only female driver to score points in F1.
Facing the Challenges of the F1 Grid
Lella Lombardi’s time in F1 was far from easy, during her brief career, she raced for smaller teams and faced numerous challenges, not least of which was the lack of support that many of her male counterparts received.
F1 in the 1970s was incredibly competitive, and having the right car and backing from a powerful team was essential to success. Lombardi often found herself behind the wheel of cars that were less than reliable, like MARCH or RAM team, frequently suffered from mechanical failures, handling issues and more.
However, Lombardi’s driving talent shone through, her ability to adapt to her car’s shortcomings and still manage respectable results was a testament to her skill, her technical feedback was also highly regarded, with many engineers praising her understanding of the car’s setup, and her ability to provide valuable insights into improving perfromance.
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Beyond F1: Success in Sports Car Racing
After her F1 career came to an end in 1976, she did not retire, she found success in sports car racing, where she continued to prove herself as a talented and versatile driver.
Her most notable achievement in this field came in 1976 when she finished second in class at the 24hr Le mans, one of the most prestigigous endurace races in the world.
Lella Lombardi’s success in endurace racing only further underscored her capabilities as a driver, while F1 may have been the best competition, sports car racing provided a different kind of challenge, and she rose to it.
Why we remember Lella Lombardi?
Her story is different, she broke the barriers in a sport that was traditionally closed off to women, although her time in F1 was short and her results were often limited by the cars she drove, she made history in a way that never been duplicated.
Still today, for 50 years, no women have scored points in this competition, Lella Lombardi remains the only woman to score points in F1.
Lella Lombardi was not just a symbol of breaking barriers, but of what could be achieved with the right amount of talent, hard work, determination.
Her success in a sport that was overwhelmingly dominated by men is a reminder that with the right opportunities and support, anyone can reach what they want, and compete at the highest level.
While her name might not be as well known as some of her male counterparts, her place in the history of F1 is undeniable and her impact continues to inspire young women in motorsport today.
Lombardi passed away from breast cancer in 1992 at the age of 50 and she was buried in Frugarolo, but her legacy lives on.
She was trailblazer, role model, a true pioneer for women in F1, even she is often considered one of the ‘forgotten’ drivers of F1, her contributions to the sport are far from forgotten by those who know her story and the incredible journey she took in a sport that was and still is, dominated by man.
