Villota first woman in WTCC

María de Villota, from Spain, will be the first woman to compete in the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The 26-year old from Madrid will make her maiden appearance in the WTCC Race of Spain at Valencia’s Circuito Ricardo Tormo.

She will race a Maurer Motorsport Chevrolet Lacetti backed by Chevrolet España. The race takes place on October 7 and 8.

“Being the first woman in WTCC is nothing new to me, as I was in the same position before in other championships. On the other hand, I am absolutely excited by the idea of competing against the best touring car drivers in the world,” she commented.

Daughter of former Formula 1 driver Emilio de Villota, María has proved to be competitive in both single-seater and GT cars, achieving brilliant results in the Spanish F3 and Formula Toyota championships, and also in endurance races.

The Switzerland-based Maurer Motorsport, that already took part in the FIA WTCC meeting at Brno, have claimed last weekend the German ADAC Procar title with Vincent Radermecker, who will be María de Villota’s team-mate at Valencia.