Who will be the 6th female Formula One driver?

In the history of Formula One there have only ever been 5 female drivers:

·         Maria Teresa de Filippis born the 11^th of November  1926 in Italy. Filippis was the first ever woman to race in Formula One. She took part in 5 races in 1958 but failed to score any championship points. She then went on to succeed in other series. She only managed to finish 1 F1 race, Belgium 1958. In 1979 she joined the International Club of Former Formula One Grand Prix Drivers where she became president in 1997. She also founded the Maserati Club in 2004 where she became Chairman.

·         Lella Lombardi (26^th of March 1941- 3^rd March 1992) another Italian born female racer, who raced for one whole season with Brabham. Lombardi is the only female F1 driver to ever score championship points. She received points at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, were half point were awarded as the race distance was shortened. Before F1 she has performed well in Formula 3 and Formula 500, in the early 70’s. After her F1 carer she races sports cars with successful results. In 1992 she lost her battle with cancer, age 50.

 

·         Divina Galica born in England on the 13^th of August 1944. As well as being the only British female F1 driver she is also the only racing driver who has competed in F1 as well as the Olympics. In 1964 she competed in the Innsbruck winter Olympics in Down Hill skiing and Slalom, she was Captain of both female teams and finished in the top 10 in both events. She would return to compete in the Olympics after her driving carer, taking part in the Speed skating of the 1992 Great British winter Olympics.
Galica got  the chance to race in F1 when Hesketh Racing offered he the opportunity to replace Rupert Keegan in 1978. She took part in 3 race weekends but failed to qualify on all 3 occasions. She then decided to take a shot at British Formula One Series in which between 1978 and 1980 she took part in 6 races, with one podium finish and 22 career points.

 

·         Desiré Wilson born in South Africa on the 26^th of November 1953. She entered the Formula One world championship in 1980 with non-works Williams FW07, she took part in one race weekend but failed to qualify with in the 107% rule. She later took part in the South African GP as a one off deal with Tyrrell Racing, she qualified 16^th and after a bad start she made her way back up through the field in the very wet conditions. But when letting the leader past, she touched the wall and damaged her car and forcing her to retire. After her short F1 career she competed in Indianapolis 500 in 1982, Le Mans 24 and American Open-Wheel racing.

Giovanna Amati, born the 20^th of July 1959 in Italy. Giovanna is best known for being the last woman to enter a Formula One race. In 1978, at the age of 19 she was kidnapped and kept in a wooden cage for 75 days where she was physically and mentally abused. Her kidnapper was later sentenced to jail for 18 years but managed to escape in 1985 and remained a fugitive until his re-arrest in 2010.
She began her racing professionally in the Formula Abarth in 1981, wining several times before moving up to Formula 3 in 1986, where she continued to win. Amati signed a contract in 1992 with Brabham, an announcement that brought the team publicity. She took place in 3 races weekends but failed to qualify for every race. She was then sacked and replaced by Damon Hill. Amati then went on to win the 1993 Woman’s European Championship in the Porsche Super Cup. From 1994 to 1996 she raced in the Ferrari Challenge, where she had consistency and many wins. In 1999, she was placed 3^rd over all in the Sports Racing World Cup Class Championship.

So, these are the only 5 female F1 drivers in history. In this sport dominated by men, who will be the next brave girl to show them we can race as well?