Lella Lombardi and Spain. The 2023 Spanish GP has recently ended and, on the occasion of this Grand Prix, we remember one episode in particular eroic of Piedmontese pilot.
Women drivers in Formula 1
La Formula 1 counts very few female pilots in its Story, between 1958 and 1992. Maria Teresa De Filippis, Lella Lombardi, Divina Galica, Desirée Wilson e Giovanna amati. Therefore before the advent of the W series, which however is not the same thing, even if the latter gives the right to constitute the Super License. And excluding those who play the role of "third driver".
Lella lombardi it is, perhaps, the more heroic of these five women, why he made it where the others four they failed to arrive.
Who is Lella Lombardi?
Maria Grazia Lombardi said Lella It was born in Frugaroloin province of Alessandria, March 26, 1941. Daughter of a butcher, start driving with his father at 9 years old e to 18 work driving the family truck for the transport of meat in Liguria. Or better, he races with the family truck. So he debuts on card, then in the 1965 lands in Formula Monza with a car bought in installments and then move on Formula 3 in 1968. There the turning point occurs: second in the championship – second – then participates in the Formula 850 (FIAT 850 engine, a very famous car at the time) in 1970, becoming it Italian champion!
Vince other two races in that category the next year. Then move on to Formula Ford Mexico since 1971 and the Rothmans F5000 Championship (Formula 5000) in 1974 and in 1976. In 1976 he crossed paths with Divina Galica. We must return, however, to 1974 to talk about his debut in Formula 1.
Lella Lombardi in Formula 1
Lella lombardi doesn't qualify, but still he arrived in Formula 1 on 20 July 1974, Brands Hatch su Brabham BT42 powered by Ford Cosworth. However, the 1975 turns out to be much better: it is the most successful year of the Piedmontese woman pilot. In fact, in 1975 Lella lombardi participate in the well twelve of the fourteen races expected in the championship, on March 751, alongside compatriot Vittorio Brambilla.
Il Spanish Grand Prix on the Montjuïc Circuit it is what Lella Lombardi consecrates to history of Formula 1. It weekend of competition it starts very badly: Friday i pilots are in revolt, as the safety barriers of the track are dilapidated. We then rush to carry out repairs, and the organizers manage to save the Saturday tests also through legal threats. They are saved, so, too qualifying and the race. As far as possible.
Lella lombardi qualifies twenty-fourth, 7" from Niki Lauda's pole position. There are drivers who give up the race, such as McLaren driver Emerson Fittipaldi, and others who only do one lap in protest, such as his brother Wilson Fittipaldi and Arturo Merzario. But Lella isn't. She he gets aboard his March and attempts the impossible…
…That half point
During the twenty-fifth lap, Unfortunately, a tragedy happens.aileron of Hill's Rolf Stommelen detaches, causing four deaths and numerous injuries in the crowd: red flag. End of the race. of 26 qualified pilots Saturday, upon arrival there are only 8 of them. And Lella is there. Lella Lombardi finishes sixth, a position that under normal conditions would earn her a point. But, given the brevity of the race, is assigned to her the score halved. What half a point it is so far the only one a woman has ever conquered in Formula 1. Let's hope that many other women can try again and overcome the feat exceptional of our Lella.
Source: www.guerinsportivo.it
