MONACO, THE SILENT REVOLUTION IN THE PITS: AWA BRINGS AN ALL-FEMALE TEAM TO THE TRACK

A debut that sets a precedent in historic motorsport From April 24 to 26, 2026, the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco will not only be a celebration of the great single-seaters of the past but also the stage for a concrete change in the present.

For the first time in the history of the event, a car in the race will be managed by an entirely female pit crew, under the guidance of a female Team Principal. The protagonist of this initiative is the Automotive Women Association (AWA), in collaboration with the Racing & Classic Team.

This is not a symbolic operation, but a technical and competitive choice, bringing real expertise to the track in a highly specialized context.

The vision of AWA: creating concrete opportunities

At the helm of the project is Monica Zanetti, co-founder of AWA, who holds the role of Team Principal.

The association’s goal is clear: to increase female presence in technical automotive professions, which are still characterized today by a strong male prevalence.

The initiative stems from a desire to go beyond the narrative and build tangible opportunities for new generations, particularly for young women studying STEM disciplines or seeking a place in the world of mechanics and engineering.

International events like the one in Monaco thus become ideal platforms for networking, providing visibility, and demonstrating the value of skills in the field.

A 1954 Lancia to tell a new story

At the center of the project is a single-seater of great symbolic and historical value: a 1954 Lancia Marino F1.

The car participated in the Naples Grand Prix in 1957 and returned to Monaco in 2012, driven by Beppe Gabbiani. Today, it returns once again to the Principality’s circuit, but with a completely different meaning.

It is not just the return of an iconic car: it is a return with a new narrative, where tradition meets social innovation. A story that unites past and future, technique and culture.

The team: expertise and organization at the core

The team structure reflects a balance between experience and new energy.

In addition to Monica Zanetti, the project involves Riccardo Paterni as Sporting Director and Salvatore Cabras for technical coordination.

However, the heart of the initiative is represented by the mechanical department, composed entirely of women: Daria Garviliu and Lucrezia Milanese, responsible for the preparation and assistance of the car throughout the race weekend.

At the wheel will be Francesco Macrì, a driver with consolidated experience in international historic Grand Prix races.

The decisive support of Racing & Classic Team

Fundamental to the realization of the project was the contribution of the Racing & Classic Team and its founder, Gigi Taverna.

The team provided not only the car but also all the technical and logistical support necessary to face a complex competition like Monaco.

This support represents a concrete example of collaboration and openness, demonstrating how motorsport can evolve through alliances based on vision and trust.

Beyond the race: a signal for the entire automotive sector

AWA’s participation in the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco goes beyond the sporting result.

It represents a concrete case of inclusion, capable of impacting a sector where access to technical roles remains limited for women, even with equal skills.

Bringing a female team into such a competitive context means demonstrating that change is possible, not as an exception, but as a natural evolution of the sector.

In this sense, Monaco becomes more than a race: it becomes a laboratory for the future of the entire automotive world.