49 Inspiring Vintage Photos of Extraordinary Women

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Formula One Driver, Maria Teresa de Filippis (1956)

Telegraph

Formula One is the world’s most technologically advanced, competitive, and dangerous single-seater auto racing, and the drivers are always at risk of meeting terrible accidents that can leave them permanently disabled, or worse, dead. But the greatest drivers do not let fear stop them from driving at extremely high speed while we, the fans, get a rush from watching them race to the finish line, hoping these fearless drivers don’t smash their cars into walls or into other cars.

There are so many amazing photos of these daredevils driving for Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Mercedes, or Honda, but the picture of Maria Teresa de Filippis strapping on her helmet is one to behold. The Italian aristocrat was the first woman to race in Formula One, participating in five World Championship Grands Prix. And if being a pioneer in a sport dominated by men wasn’t extraordinary enough, at five foot two, Maria Teresa de Filippis was so petite that her Maserati had to be customized for her to reach the pedals, qualify, and make it to the starting grid.