Michela Cerruti

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February 21, 2025

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  Michela Cerruti turned what started as a simple safe driving course into a groundbreaking motorsports career that saw her become the first woman to win in Italian GT Championship history. The Roman racer’s journey from psychology student to team principal proves that sometimes the most unexpected paths lead to the most extraordinary destinations.

  EARLY YEARS

  Born on February 18, 1987, in Rome, Italy, Michela grew up in a household where racing wasn’t just a hobby—it was in the DNA. Her father, Aldo Cerruti, nicknamed “Baronio,” was a successful touring car driver from the 1970s who would eventually claim the 2009 Italian GT Championship title driving a Ferrari F430. Despite this motorsports pedigree, Michela’s early years were surprisingly diverse. She hit the slopes at age six, competing in skiing at regional and national levels despite only being able to train on weekends due to city living. She also excelled in athletics, particularly running, racking up several victories. At 16, she made the disciplined decision to temporarily shelve sports entirely to focus on her studies, eventually graduating with a degree in Psychology from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan.

  OTHER INTERESTS

  Before discovering her true calling behind the wheel, Michela was a multi-sport athlete who divided her time between the mountains and the track. Her skiing career took her through competitive regional and national levels, demonstrating the same fearless approach to speed that would later define her racing. Her success in athletics, particularly in running events, showed early signs of the competitive fire that would eventually burn brightest in motorsports. Her academic pursuits in psychology also revealed a thoughtful, analytical mind—qualities that would serve her well when dissecting race strategies and car setups.

  EARLY SUCCESS

  Michela’s motorsports journey began almost by accident in 2006 when her father enrolled her in a safe driving course with Mario Ferraris. What was meant to be a practical life skill quickly revealed something extraordinary—Ferraris immediately recognized her natural car control abilities and convinced Aldo that his daughter had genuine racing talent. Two years later, in 2008, she made her competitive debut in the Italian Touring Endurance Championship (CITE) with an Alfa Romeo 147, immediately securing third in class alongside co-driver Mario Ferraris. Her rapid progression continued in 2009 with the Abarth 500, where she contributed to developing the special “Cinquone” 500 Abarth 24h car and claimed four class wins in the second division.

  NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2008: Third in class in Italian Touring Endurance Championship debut season with Alfa Romeo 147.
  • 2009: Four class wins in CITE second division with Abarth 500 “Cinquone”.
  • 2011: Victory in Race 2 at Monza in Superstars Series, leading championship after opening weekend.
  • 2012: First female winner in Italian GT Championship history with victory at Mugello driving Ferrari F430.
  • 2013: Victory at Imola in Italian GT Championship and second place Pro-Am class at 1000km Nürburgring in Blancpain Endurance Series.
  • 2014: Winner at Imola in Auto GP series, finishing top six in championship standings.
  • 2014: Competed in four Formula E races with Trulli GP in the championship’s inaugural season.
  • 2022: Appointed Team Principal of Romeo Ferraris, transitioning from driver to leadership role.

  INSPIRATIONS

  The driving force behind Michela’s career was undoubtedly her father, Aldo Cerruti, whose racing achievements and industry connections provided both inspiration and opportunity. Mario Ferraris served as her crucial early mentor, being the first to recognize her natural talent during that fateful driving course and championing her entry into competitive racing. The Romeo Ferraris team became like an extended family, supporting her progression from touring cars through to international GT racing. Her path was shaped by those who saw potential where others might have seen only a young woman trying to make it in a male-dominated sport.

  REPUTATION

  Cerruti built her reputation as a fast, instinctive driver who could adapt to virtually any racing discipline thrown at her. Her versatility became legendary—she was equally at home in touring cars, GT machines, single-seaters, and even the cutting-edge world of Formula E. The motorsports community took notice not just because she was breaking gender barriers, but because she was genuinely quick. Her 2011 Monza victory, which she called “the most beautiful and unexpected,” showcased her ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stages. Industry respect culminated in her 2022 appointment as Romeo Ferraris team principal, proving that her peers valued her strategic mind as much as her driving talent.

  FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

  Since 2022, Michela has been firmly established in her role as Team Principal of Romeo Ferraris, focusing on leadership and strategic direction rather than getting behind the wheel herself. Having retired from active competition in 2017 to start her family, she appears committed to shaping the next generation of motorsports from the management side. Her transition from groundbreaking female driver to team leader represents a natural evolution, allowing her to influence the sport’s future while maintaining the family commitments that led to her driving retirement.

  References:

  Wikipedia – Michela Cerruti
  Official Michela Cerruti Profile
  The Race – Michela Cerruti Formula E Interview
  Women In Motorsport – Michela Cerruti Profile