Maria Teresa de Filippis and Maserati 250F (1958)

Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first woman to qualify for a Formula 1 Grand Prix, at the wheel of a Maserati 250F. Her story is defined by passion and daring, which is why Maserati is celebrating her for Women's History Month this March and International Women's Day on March 8. Maria Teresa de Filippis was born in Naples in 1926 and decided to enter the world of motor racing almost as a challenge. In 1948 she participated in her first real race: at only 22 years old she won the 10 km Salerno-Cava de 'Tirreni, 500cc class of tourism category, beating her male colleagues decisively. That very first victory ignited his passion for racing and the following year he triumphed in several competitions in the 750cc category. From 1953 to 1954 he switched to an Osca 1100cc with which he won the 12 Hours of Pescara, the Trullo d'Oro, the Catania-Etna, the circuits of Caserta and Siracusa. 1955 was the year in which Maria Teresa de Filippis switched to a Maserati 2000 A6GCS. In an article she wrote about her racing years, she said, "... a powerful car with which I felt I could do anything ... and I did," adding, "Poor car! So many spectacular crashes, but so many wins too! ". First among them was the victory in the Catania-Etna in record time, which remained undefeated for the next three years. He came in second place in the 1955 2000 cc class championship.