Marking the centenary of Maria Teresa de Filippis’ birth and 100 years of the Trident, celebrating the racing heritage that continues to fuel Maserati’s innovation.
Goodwood Motor Circuit, UK - 17th March - In celebration of a century defined by speed, audacity and innovation, last Thursday Maserati honoured the women shaping motorsport history with the inaugural Women’s Drive Summit. The exclusive gathering paid tribute to Maria Teresa de Filippis, the first woman to qualify for a Formula 1 Grand Prix, who famously competed behind the wheel of the legendary Maserati 250F, in the year that also would have marked her 100th birthday.
Set against the appropriately historic backdrop of Goodwood Motor Circuit, the Women’s Drive Summit paid tribute to Maria by welcoming an all-female guest list of pioneering figures from across the motorsport and wider automotive industry. Guests were invited to drive and be driven around the iconic circuit in a stunning line-up of current Maserati models, including the MCPura, on the very track that was the centre of British motor racing between 1948 and 1966.
An all-female team of professional racing drivers accompanied guests on the track in some of the brand’s most exhilarating contemporary models, including the GranTurismo Trofeo, the GranCabrio Trofeo, the Grecale Trofeo and the MCPura. Track side, a striking display of the Maserati MCXtrema underscored the marque’s relentless pursuit of performance at its highest expression.
The Women’s Drive Summit also forms part of Maserati’s wider centenary celebrations in 2026, marking 100 years since the brand’s debut at the Targa Florio, the moment the Maserati Tipo 26, the first car to wear the Trident, took to the road and won its class. This anniversary honours Maserati’s motorsport origins and its century‑long evolution in performance, innovation and luxury craftsmanship.
A tribute also honoured Maria Teresa de Filippis, born in 1926 in Naples, whose early racing successes in the late 1940s ignited a pioneering motorsport career. In 1958, driving a private Maserati 250F, she became the first woman to race in a Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix - a milestone that reflects the bold, boundary‑breaking spirit at the heart of Maserati.
Mariangela Del Vecchio, Managing Director, Maserati North Europe said, “Maria Teresa de Filippis’ story is defined by passion and audacity and to this day, even in memory, she continues to embody the values of Maserati and inspire women in the world of motorsport. We are proud to honour her influence and legacy as a pioneer while also celebrating the extraordinary women who continue to shape the automotive world today.”
The Women’s Drive Summit reflects the ongoing commitment that Maserati has embraced for several years to promote inclusion and belonging across every area of the company, where the presence of women in key positions is increasing. A further step forward was taken in 2025 with the introduction of the Maserati Women’s Business Resource Group (BRG Donna), an internal community created to enhance female talent and support professional development in an open, international, and multicultural environment.
Honouring its unrivalled heritage, Maserati continues to elevate its motorsport credentials through Maserati GT2, which has marked the brand’s return to competition in closed‑wheel racing. In this arena, the Trident boldly showcases the engineering excellence and performance DNA that define Maserati. This competitive platform reinforces Brand’s commitment to innovation across both road‑going and track‑focused vehicles.
For a century, Maserati has stood at the forefront of automotive craftsmanship and performance innovation. As it enters its next century, the Trident looks not only to its illustrious past in both road and race, but to a future driven by inclusivity, technical excellence, and uncompromising luxury.
