Giovanna Amati

Giovanna Amati, born on July 20, 1959, is an Italian former professional racing driver who made her mark in the world of motorsport as the most recent female driver to enter the Formula One World Championship.

Raised in a wealthy family, Amati's life took a dramatic turn in 1978 when she was kidnapped and held for ransom, which was set at eight hundred million lira. Fortunately, she was released unharmed, an experience that would shape her resilience.

Amati began her racing career in the Formula Abarth series before advancing to Formula Three during the years of 1985 and 1986. Her entry into Formula 3000 in 1987 was met with limited success, but she showed improvement in the following year. A move to Japan in 1989 did not yield the results she hoped for, prompting her return to Europe in 1990, where her performances began to flourish.

In 1992, Amati achieved a significant milestone by signing with Brabham, becoming the fifth and last woman to compete as a driver in Formula One, a testament to her determination and skill in a male-dominated sport.