Official Safety Car of Formula 1® based on Aston Martin’s sports car, Vantage
Aston Martin DBX becomes an Official Medical Car of Formula 1®
Both cars make their debut at pre-season F1® test in Bahrain on 12-14 March
Previous Aston Martin Racing successes contribute to safety car development
When Aston Martin makes its return to the FIA Formula One World Championship® at the end of this month, it will be with more than two grand prix contenders on the Formula 1® Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 grid:
For the first time in the history of the sport the Official Safety and Medical cars of Formula 1® will also bear the famous wings of the British luxury brand.
A specially equipped version of the Aston Martin Vantage has been developed for the critical role of intervening and controlling the pace of an event involving the fastest racing cars in the world. Engineered by an experienced team at Aston Martin’s Headquarters in Gaydon, the car benefits from significant chassis and aerodynamic improvements. With only a few additional modifications to make it FIA compliant, the new safety car is the pinnacle of Vantage performance.
Aston Martin DBX, the brand’s critically acclaimed first SUV, will also take on the role of an Official Medical Car of Formula 1®, showcasing its own power and handling prowess as it launches into action to support in the event of an emergency.
Aston Martin Vantage – An Official Safety Car of Formula 1® Piloted by FIA’s appointed driver, Bernd Mayländer (DE) who has been at the helm of the F1® safety car for over twenty years, the Aston Martin will remain on standby in the pit lane throughout the race.
When deployed by Race Control in the event of bad weather or an accident, the former race driver and co-driver, Richard Darker (UK) will take to the track at the head of the field to safely control the pace of the pack, neutralizing the event and allowing any incident to be managed safely by the circuit’s officials.
F1® tyre temperatures can drop when the cars are running at sub-optimal speeds, therefore fast lap times are essential for the Official Safety Car of Formula 1®. This responsibility led the Aston Martin Lagonda CEO, Tobias Moers to task the engineering team with enhancing the already sporting Vantage, focusing on improved track performance and lap times.
The results? Power has increased by 25PS to 535PS, delivered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 delivering significant performance capability going from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds. 685Nm of peak torque remains the same but is now sustained for longer, and with additional work on the transmission means the driver has a better sense of directness, precision, and control through upshifts and downshifts. The Vaned grille coupled with a new front splitter creates 155.6kg of downforce at 200km/h; more than 60kg than the production Vantage produces at the same speed. Modifications to the suspension, steering and dampers have also been undertaken, with further detailed underbody bracing modifications to increase front structural stiffness. All this, together with a comprehensive aero kit and a switch to lower profile tyres, the Aston Martin Vantage Official F1® Safety Car has all the credentials to handle a Formula 1® circuit.
Aston Martin is known worldwide for its high-profile successes in sports car racing, most recently last year’s multi-class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that contributed to becoming FIA GT World Endurance Manufacturers’ Champions. Engineering developments derived from these successes have aided the systems that feature in the F1® safety car. The unique requirements of the safety car mean the vehicle must be capable of going from top speeds, back to idling in the pit lane without so much as a cool-down lap, so a reliable and robust thermal management system is a key element to its performance. Having already developed a cooling system that proved effective in extreme conditions and temperatures on the multiple championship-winning Vantage GT4 race car, Aston Martin transferred this technology into the safety car, along with the addition of extra vents in the bonnet to support further cooling.
As it performs on standard Pirelli road tyres, the safety car is also equipped with the same carbon-ceramic brakes found on the production Vantage, with additional brake ducts hidden within the front grille to aid cooling.
The safety car mimics the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One® Team car with an all-new paint colour, 2021 Aston Martin Racing Green, which was developed specifically to celebrate the marques return to Formula 1® racing after more than 60 years. A Lime Essence pinstripe highlights the front splitter; a colour synonymous with Aston Martin’s successful racing pedigree, and most recently used on the ultra-successful Vantage that competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The F1® safety car is otherwise distinguished by its prominent FIA safety car livery, bodyside mounted radio antennas, an LED rear number plate and a bespoke, roof-mounted LED light-bar, developed by Aston Martin.
The light-bar sits on a carbon fibre plinth, raised above the roof line. The aerodynamic profile is designed to offer the least possible resistance while providing an optimised flow of air towards the exaggerated rear wing. Bright orange lights on the outer edges of the light-bar illuminate when the Official Safety Car of Formula 1® joins the track. A centrally positioned amber flashing light then illuminates once the safety car is in position ahead of the race leader – indicating that no one should overtake; two centrally positioned green lights are illuminated once it is safe for the F1® cars to pass. The headlamps and taillamps also flash to aid the safe deployment of the car. The rear number plate displays ‘Safety Car’ illuminated by LED’s, making it clear to see from vehicles behind in all weather conditions. A rear facing camera is also fixed to the light-bar that feeds a live image into a second rear-view mirror located inside the cabin, allowing the co-driver to monitor any activity at the rear.
Further, inside the cabin the production seats have been replaced by FIA-approved racing seats equipped with a 6-point safety harness, the same as those found in the F1® team cars. Two screens are mounted on the dashboard, providing the driver and co-driver with a live television feed and a variety of customizable information displays, including live lap timing and the track positioning of all active race cars. The centre console has been modified significantly. The rotary dial has been moved back to where the cup holder was positioned, and in its place sits a switch control system used to execute a number of actions, including activating the siren, radio communications and controlling the light-bar LED’s. The ‘Marshalling System’ is integrated into the instrument cluster and the dashboard, allowing both the driver and co-driver to see which colour flag is being shown on the track, by the illumination of the same coloured LED light; mirroring the system that also features by regulation in all F1® team cars. TV cameras are also mounted on top of and inside the car, to provide live TV footage.
Safety Car driver, Bernd Mayländer said “Formula 1® fans around the world are delighted to see the return of Aston Martin to the track, as am I. The Official Safety Car of F1® is a beautiful, capable car that signifies an exciting new era for Aston Martin.”
Aston Martin DBX – An Official Medical Car of Formula 1® Aston Martin DBX will also share the Official Medical Car of Formula 1® responsibilities this season, driven by Alan van der Merwe (41, South Africa). Like the safety car, the medical car is distinguishable by its 2021 Aston Martin Racing Green paint with Lime Green accents – as well as the prominent FIA medical car livery, LED rear number plate and roof-mounted LED light-bar which sits upon the roof rails.
Powered by the 4-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine, also found in DB11 and Vantage, DBX provides an impressive output of 550PS and 700NM of torque which launches DBX from 0 to 62mph in just 4.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 181mph. All this ensures the FIA medical team can respond effectively to an emergency. With a sound that is unquestionably Aston Martin, the active exhaust system means DBX will not only be seen, but heard, as it does.
The Official Medical Car of Formula 1® is required to carry a substantial amount of equipment including a large medical bag, a defibrillator, two fire extinguishers and a burn kit – and the DBX is more than equipped with 632 litres of boot space.
Whilst the interior trim is fully representative of a customer vehicle, the central rear seat has been removed, and the remaining four have been replaced with sport bucket seats, each equipped with a 6-point safety harness. These provide seating for the driver, Alan van der Merwe and Dr Ian Roberts – the FIA Formula 1® Medical Response Coordinator, as well as a Local Doctor, leaving one spare, in case an incident requires a racing driver to be driven back to the pit lane. Much like the safety car, two screens have been mounted onto the dashboard to provide live race footage. An additional screen is used to read live biometric data delivered via technology in the drivers’ gloves, which in the event of an accident, provides critical information on their condition. The ‘Marshalling System’ and the rear-view mirror camera display have also been installed into the medical car.
The development of both these Official Safety Car of Formula 1® and Official Medical Car of Formula 1® was carried out by the engineering team at Aston Martin. Both vehicles have endured significant testing, which included high-speed durability assessments and aggressive circuit driving at the Aston Martin facility at Silverstone, totting up almost 15,000km collectively. The vehicles have also been tested in a dyno climate chamber to ensure they will perform in all race conditions.
Tobias Moers, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda said “Together with the whole company, I am extremely proud of the Aston Martin brands return to Formula 1®, the pinnacle of motorsport for the first time in more than 60 years and represents the start of a significant new era for Aston Martin. To see our acclaimed Vantage, our most dynamic sports car, performing the role of the Official Safety Car of Formula 1 and our first SUV, DBX, operate as the Medical Car on Formula 1® circuits around the world is a proud moment for us all”.
Aston Martin fans will be able to see the Aston Martin Vantage Official Safety Car of Formula 1® in action for the first time during the three-day pre-season test at Bahrain on 12-14 March, and then again during the opening round of the FIA Formula One® World Championship, at the same venue two weeks later.
The Formula 1® Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 will be broadcast live on Sunday 28 March 2021 from 16:00 GMT.
Volvo Cars’ global sales performance remained strong in February, after the company posted 29.1 per cent growth for the first two months of the year compared with the same period last year.
Total sales during the period amounted to 110,383 cars, as the US, Europe and China reported a growth in volumes. The sales increase was driven by an ongoing recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic in China compared to last year, a solid performance in the US market and increased sales in Sweden.
For the month of February, Volvo Cars sold a total of 50,795 cars, up 27.8 per cent compared with the same month last year, and the company’s best February sales performance ever.
Its Recharge line-up of chargeable models, with a fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, continued to grow in popularity among customers and accounted for 26.6 per cent of all Volvo cars sold globally in February. In Europe, Recharge cars represented 44 per cent of the overall sales volume.
In China, Volvo Cars sold 29,243 cars in the first two months of the year, up 160.6 per cent year-on-year, as the company managed to more than recover lost sales due to Covid-19 shutdowns last year.
US sales continued to grow year-on-year and reached 17,315 cars in January and February, up 23.7 per cent compared with the same period last year. The strong increase was led by the brand’s premium SUVs, which accounted for 80 per cent of total sales.
The company’s European sales grew 5.5 per cent in the first two months of 2021, to 48,784 cars, compared with the same period last year, driven mainly by increased sales in Sweden.
A detailed break-up of regional sales is given below:
February
January-February
2020
2021
Change
2020
2021
Change
Europe
23,442
23,927
2.1%
46,252
48,784
5.5%
China
1,205
10,083
736.8%
11,220
29,243
160.6%
US
7,841
9,164
16.9%
13,998
17,315
23.7%
Other
7,254
7,621
5.1%
14,024
15,041
7.3%
Total
39,742
50,795
27.8%
85,494
110,383
29.1%
In February, the XC40 was the top-selling model, with sales of 15,818 cars (2020: 10,266), followed by the XC60 with total sales of 14,463 cars (9,774 units) and the Volvo XC90 with 6,808 cars (4,852 units).
Fiat E-Ducato priced from £47,675 excluding VAT (after Government Plug-in Van Grant)
Driving range of between 113 and 230 miles (WLTP City*)
With the 50kW DC charger both the 47kWh & 79kWh batteries can be charged to 80% capacity in 30 minutes
Best in class payload of up to 1,885kg and the same best-in-class load volumes as ICE Ducato – from 10m3 to 17m3
Firstly available in goods van, chassis cab and passenger configurations
Fiat Ducato is the best-seller in its large LCV segment in EMEA and has been on the road for forty years
The exclusive app, Pro Fit by E-Ducato, recommends the ideal E-Ducato configuration based on real-world usage data, to best meet customer’s specific needs
Produced at the Sevel Atessa Plant in South-East Italy
All E-Ducato will benefit from the 5-5-5 peace of mind aftercare :- – 5 year warranty, 5 year roadside assistance and 5 year servicing
E-Ducato battery covered by 10 year warranty**
Ordering is now open with first UK deliveries expected in May 2021
Orders for the 100% electric Fiat E-Ducato are now open, priced from £47,675 excluding VAT (after the Government PiVG), enabling customers to receive all the benefits of having zero tailpipe emissions with the versatility of a large LCV.
Kickstarting the Fiat brand’s foray into 100 percent electric vehicles, the E-Ducato large LCV has a range of between 113 and 230 miles (WLTP City*), depending on the variant. It is congestion charge and ULEZ-exempt, making it the perfect tool for businesses in both urban and suburban environments.
Range and driving dynamics E-Ducato provides a choice between two battery sizes – 47kWh or 79kWh. The 47kWh battery, alongside a 90kW motor, provides a range of up to 146 miles (WLTP City*), a maximum power of 90kW (equivalent to 122hp) and maximum torque of 280Nm at 12,000rpm. E-Ducato reaches a top speed of 62mph and takes under 6 seconds to go from zero to 30mph. Its impressive charging time of zero to fully charged, takes just 2 hours and 25 minutes, enabling businesses to recharge and get back on the road in the quickest time possible. The 47kWh battery is available with AC or DC charging capability.
The 79kWh battery is fused to the same 90kW motor and receives the same power and torque outputs as the 47kWh battery, however provides a longer range of up to 230 miles (WLTP City*). E-Ducato with the 79kWh battery takes just 4 hours to charge from zero to 100 per cent and is also available with AC or DC charging capability.
These figures still do not impede on the versatility of E-Ducato – it delivers a best-in-class payload of up to 1,885kg and maintains the same best-in-class volumes as ICE Ducato of between 10m3 and 17m3.
Range is maximised in E-Ducato through its regenerative braking system, with the van storing energy as it is driven downhill. This ensures range isn’t wasted and is stored for when needed most.
The E-Ducato also provides the driver with three driving mode options – Normal which gives optimal balance between performance and economy, Eco for an increase in the available range by managing acceleration response in order to reduce energy consumption and deactivation of air conditioning. There is also the Power mode for facing full-load missions.
A fourth, ‘Turtle mode’, is activated when battery power reaches near-to zero percent. The vehicle alerts the user and activates a specific driving mode with strongly reduced performance to extend the remaining range.
E-Ducato specifications E-Ducato is available in two trim levels – standard and eTecnico – and three main configurations – goods van, chassis cab and passenger van.
The goods van is available in three different heights (H1 2309mm, H2 2579mm, H3 2814mm), three different lengths (L2 5413mm, L3 5998mm, L4 6363mm) and three different wheelbase sizes (L2 3450mm, L3 4035mm, L4 4035XLmm). The chassis cab is offered with a choice of three different lengths (L2 5358mm, L3 5708mm, L4 5943mm) and four different wheelbase sizes (L2 3450mm, L2.5 3800mm, L3 4035mm, L4 4035XLmm), whilst the passenger version can be ordered with seating for between 5 and 9 passengers. Every configuration is available with the choice of either the 47kWh or 79kWh battery.
Standard trim level provides 5-inch touchscreen with DAB Radio and Bluetooth®, automatic climate control, tablet holder, USB charging port, fixed full width steel bulkhead, electric heated mirrors, convertors plug, LED lighting in load area, twin leaf rear suspension, lane departure warning system, advanced emergency braking, Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), High Beam Recognition (HBR), Rain & Dusk Sensors (RDS), Electronic stability control (ESC) and driver’s air bag. Exclusively for E-Ducato, there is also both 7kW (with 47kWh) and 11kW (with 79kWh) on-board chargers as well as a mode 3 charging cable.
Over and above this specification, eTecnico receives 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and SatNav, rear parking camera with reverse parking sensors, blind spot and rear cross path detection, embroidered headrests, front fog lights, heated electrically folding door mirrors, LED daytime running lights, leather steering wheel and chrome air vent surrounds.
Every E-Ducato receives a 12 month subscription to Mopar Connect. This smartphone application provides help 24 hours a day via its crash assistance service, to identify the impact and send the GPS position of E-Ducato to its operations centre.
Mopar Connect Theft Assistance is able to detect unauthorised towing or tampering of the device and can receive assistance from a my:Assistant operator. After having reported the theft, the operators will provide the GPS coordinates and will immobilise the engine when the vehicle stops to facilitate recovery. Roadside Assistance is also available via Mopar Connect.
Total Cost of Ownership Special attention has been paid to Total Cost of Ownership: with lower running costs and purchase incentives, it substantially achieves parity compared with a Ducato with an internal combustion engine. To give an example, the E-Ducato offers real-world fuel savings of approximately £13,000 to a comparable diesel version running 95,000 miles, whilst servicing costs are over 40 per cent lower than a similarly sized diesel commercial vehicle.
Pro-Fit by e-Ducato app The experts from Fiat Professional and Stellantis e-Mobility have worked in close collaboration to create a functional web tool, designed to advise on the most suitable version of the E-Ducato for each customer. Pro-Fit by E-Ducato is based on the knowledge that every customer requirement is different, information is gathered on mileage, type of route, working days and weeks, average payload, usage mix, usage temperature and the charging slots available in order to guide the customer to the best E-Ducato for their needs. The configuration tool can also be used with real-world data gathered via the app. This new feature will also enable light commercial vehicle fleet managers to simulate the use of a full-electric fleet, aiming at increasingly sustainable and environment-friendly urban and suburban mobility. At the same time, it also offers higher performance and can meet the needs of businesses and employees.
Mulliner’s Personal Commissioning Guide now includes the new Bentayga, completing the bespoke offering for the entire model range
Custom interior features include hide and stitching options, veneer and technical finishes, and further personalisation
Extended Mulliner paint palette, personal commissioning and wheel options add exterior individualism
Customers can choose various contemporary or traditional options to achieve their ultimate personalised grand tourer
27 different hide colours and more than 100 painted veneer options
Bentley Mulliner Visualiser allows customers to work with their retailer remotely to create their personal commission
Bentley Mulliner now offers its unique set of personal commissioning options across the entire Bentley model range, with the addition of the new Bentayga to Mulliner’s Personal Commissioning Guide.
An extensive list of options for both interior and exterior means that customers are able to specify a configuration that is truly individual and suited to their personality, going even further than the billions of ways a Bentley can be commissioned using the “standard” options.
The Personal Commissioning Guide offers a unique mix of traditional and contemporary options that will appeal to Bentley’s diverse and extraordinary clients. Depending on the individual’s personal preference, each car can take on a new aesthetic while ensuring style and performance are never compromised.
Customers can choose bespoke hide colours, painted veneers, personalised interior stitching and tweed trimmed door inserts to name but a few of the unique offerings from Bentley Mulliner that can be used to enhance the unique look and feel of their Bentley.
Using the Mulliner Visualiser in conjunction with their local retailer, customers are able to design their personal options virtually. Each retailer is experienced in choosing specifications for each model and are able to advise which options will be complementary and complete the look of the car.
Personalised Exterior Colours Bentley Mulliner has carefully curated their own exquisite range of paint colours allowing customers to configure the exterior. Hand spraying expertise, complemented by the latest robotic technology, delivers the best possible finish on each vehicle.
Combining the art of colour with the science of paint, Bentley offers one of the largest ‘stock’ colour palettes of any luxury automotive manufacturer. The Mulliner extended paint palette increases this further, by an additional 26 colours including solids, metallic and satins.
For those that want the next level of personalisation, the craftspeople at Bentley’s personal commissioning division can colour-match virtually any sample provided, using innovative colour recognition software to analyse the composition of the sample provided and reproducing it to perfection. The only limit is the customer’s imagination.
Personalised Interiors For those that wish to continue the colour theme inside their Bentayga, it is possible to select from an extensive Mulliner range of 27 hide and stitching colours to create a truly unique interior colour split. The design can include up to three colours from the range to produce a bold and striking look.
Alternatively, the interior of the car can be crafted to have a completely personalised colour hide and stitching. Customers can match their interior to any bespoke colour of their preference – the ultimate expression of personality.
Customers also have the opportunity to add further extra touches to their Bentley. Whether adding a name, motif or crest, various aspects of the car can be tailored to display a customer’s personalisation. Seats and deep pile overmats can be embroidered, a name of choice can be added to the outer illuminated sill plates or personalised text or imagery can be applied to the passenger fascia panel in a satin finish.
Bentley Mulliner also offers additional colour accents to enhance the interior atmosphere. Through seat piping, carpet binding and hand cross-stitching, customers can elevate the look and feel of the cabin. The process of hand cross-stiching a Bentayga cabin takes one craftsperson 44 hours to complete. Unique thread has been designed to be extremely durable and uses special dyes to maintain its colour to last for the lifespan of the vehicle.
For customers that enjoy a more sporting interior theme, the optional inclusion of Alcantara seat centres, headrests and door inserts creates an exquisite, tactile finish. For even more sporting ambience, Alcantara can be applied to the steering wheel and gear lever.
Personalised Welcome Lamps project a custom image on the floor when each door is opened, accurately recreating a graphic, logo, image or word in pin-sharp light.
Finally, the Bentayga’s key fob can be personalised with a name or image being added to one side.
Sustainable Luxury The Bentley Mulliner team has worked with a traditional textile mill to produce a bespoke, natural wool cloth akin to that in a fine tailored suit. By embracing time-honoured methods, the collaboration has resulted in four striking woven cloth patterns, each featuring exclusive yarn colours.
The mill goes to great efforts to ensure the materials used are produced in the most ethical and environmental way. This is in line with Bentley’s Beyond100 strategy that details the plans for the company to become a global leader in sustainable luxury mobility.
Selected to complement the interior design, and natural colour harmony with many of the leather hides already throughout the cabin, four different tweeds are available.
Cheltenham, with its countryside greens, offers a more traditional choice for customers whereas Glen Plaid–Tolsta Beach, named after the shores of the rugged Outer Hebrides, makes a confident statement with its bold check pattern. Providing a more subtle, contemporary choice, the Charcoal and Sand Herringbone tweeds complement dark and light interiors respectively.
From Traditional to Contemporary Bentley Mulliner offers a wide range of veneer options that will transform the interior of each new Bentayga. From more traditional wood cross-banding, to painted veneers and contemporary stone fascias, there is a unique interior feature for every customer.
With Bentley’s revered craftsmanship, the new Bentayga makes a clear statement and reintroduces Cross Banding Inlays as an option for the fascia and waistrail inserts. The Cross Banding uses Australian straight grain veneer with a boxwood inlay available on a number of veneer options, enhanced with a Bentley Mulliner overlay in either a silver or gold colour.
Using painted veneers, Bentley Mulliner can now match all of the interior veneered areas to any of the colours from the Standard, Extended and Bentley Mulliner exterior paint ranges, or the interior hide colours. With 103 options for painted veneers, customers will have an extensive list of colours available to create a bespoke interior that is reflective of their personality.
With innovative and state-of-the-art technologies, Bentley Mulliner has utilised stone formed over 200 million years ago to create lightweight veneers just 0.1mm in thickness. Stone veneers feature a visible natural ‘open pore’ texture.
Four different stone colours are available, to complement a range of interiors: Autumn White, Copper, Galaxy or Terra Red.
Building on the contemporary natural finish introduced with Stone Veneer, Bentley Mulliner now offers an open pore satin finish to Liquid Amber, Dark Burr Walnut and Tamo Ash veneers. Each layer is applied by hand and sanded between applications, ensuring the lacquer adheres to the natural grooves of the wood. The resulting finish is wax-like and perfectly highlights the authentic, natural colour and texture of the wood species.
This delicate technique ensures Bentley customers can actually feel the texture of the wood. The variation in colour and grain of different cuts of open-pore veneer mean that each is also slightly different – offering a truly unique Bentley interior.
“I was either courageous or reckless, or foolhardy; Call it what you want, I just liked to go at full speed” Maria Teresa de Filippis (1926-2016)
Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first woman to qualify for a Formula 1 Grand Prix, behind the wheel of a Maserati 250F. Hers is a story of passion and audacity and for this reason, Maserati celebrates her achievements on the occasion of International Women’s Day, 8 March.
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 race; at only 22 years of age she won the 10 km Salerno-Cava de ‘Tirreni, 500cc class of the touring car category, decisively beating her male colleagues. That very first victory ignites her passion for racing and in the following year she triumphed in several competitions in the 750cc category.
During 1953 – 1954 she moved on to an Osca 1100 cc in which she won the 12 Hours of Pescara, the Trullo d’Oro, the Catania-Etna, and the circuits of Caserta and Syracuse.
Maria Teresa de Filippis transitioned to a Maserati 2000 A6GCS in 1955. In an article she later 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 accidents, but also so many victories!” Chief among which was the victory in the Catania-Etna in record time, which remained undefeated for the following three years. She finished in second place in the 2000 cc class championship of 1955.
In 1958, behind the wheel of a private Maserati 250F, Maria Teresa de Filippis made her debut in the GP of Syracuse and then competed in her first Formula World Championship Grand Prix in Belgium. A number of female racing drivers have competed in motor sport over the years, but only Maria Teresa de Filippis holds the unique record, one that can never be broken or equaled, of being the first woman to compete in Formula 1.
Able to stand out in an environment that had previously been considered exclusively male, Maria Teresa de Filippis earned the respect and esteem of her rivals in the field and brought to the track the values that still guide Maserati today: excellence, elegance and power.
Maserati and Maria Teresa de Filippis represent a winning combination. A story of tenacity, courage and audacity. The desire and resolve to face technical, physical and personal challenges and to transform them into opportunities to be seized, looking to the future with determination.
Five years after her death, the strength and importance of her accomplishments continue to define the values of Maserati and also inspire all the women who work for the Brand today. A video, due to be released on social media on 8 March, to coincide with International Women’s Day, unites and celebrates them.
