Giovanna Amati

Giovanna Amati is an Italian former professional racing driver, born in 1959, and the most recent woman to have entered the Formula One World Championship. She grew up in a wealthy family and was kidnapped in 1978 and released on an 800 million lira ransom. She began racing in the Formula Abarth series, moved up to Formula Three for 1985 and 1986, and entered Formula 3000 in 1987, where results came slowly. A move to Japan in 1989 brought no success, but a return to Europe in 1990 and 1991 produced better performances. In 1992 she signed for Brabham and became the fifth and last woman to drive in Formula One.