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Tamara Molinaro is an Italian rally and rallycross driver who became one of the youngest female professional drivers in European motorsport, winning the 2017 European Ladies’ Rally Championship at just 20 years old before transitioning to rallycross and Extreme E competition.

EARLY YEARS

Born in 1997 in the quiet, picturesque commune of Moltrasio, Italy, Molinaro grew up quite literally surrounded by motorsport. Her parents owned G.Car Sport, a rally team and workshop in nearby Villaguardia, which meant her childhood playground was littered with racing tyres, the sharp smell of race fuel, and the constant hum of engines being rebuilt and tuned. This wasn’t a family that watched racing on television—they lived it, breathed it, and made their living from it.

At 11 years old, she had her first proper taste of driving, and it happened almost as a joke. Gigi Galli, a former WRC driver and family friend, took her out on ice at a private circuit where no license was required. The car was a Mitsubishi Evo 9, and she was so small she needed pillows stacked up just to reach the pedals. She completed a full lap. That single frozen circuit, that first moment of control and speed, sparked something undeniable. From that point forward, she knew exactly what she wanted to become: a driver.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Molinaro’s interests outside of motorsport is limited. At 16, she entered RedBull’s development program, which included rigorous physical training, psychological testing, and mechanical education alongside driving assessments—suggesting a focused, all-in approach to her racing career from an early age.

EARLY SUCCESS

Molinaro’s racing career began early, with Pirelli coming on board as her first supporter. At just 16, she caught the attention of RedBull’s talent scouts and was signed to their “growing up” program—a comprehensive development initiative that put her through mechanical, physical, psychological, and driving tests until she obtained her driving license and could begin competing officially. The program laid the groundwork for what would become a rapid rise through European rally ranks.

By 2017, she had secured a coveted position as an Official Driver for Opel Motorsport, backed by both RedBull and Pirelli. That year, driving an Opel Adam in the European Rally Championship, she captured the Ladies European Championship title and finished 7th overall in the fiercely competitive Junior Under 27 category—an impressive result in a crowded field. She also racked up four wins in the U27 European Rally Championship, establishing herself as a serious competitor, not just a promising newcomer.

In 2019, after a long break before Rally Sweden, Molinaro made a one-off appearance at the WRC event as part of Opel’s effort to gauge interest for Rallye Deutschland. She finished 11th overall in the R5 category, holding her own among seasoned, experienced drivers. “Finishing in 11th overall R5 among the best and experienced drivers… starting the year with a motivation boost,” she said. But the fairytale run hit a harsh reality: she ran out of budget. Racing, as always, required more than talent.

The budget crunch pushed her toward rallycross, a discipline she had never seriously considered. After a test session with TitansRX organizer Max Pucher, she impressed enough to be offered a full season seat in a 540-horsepower RX car. “Rallycross it’s a fantastic discipline. The level was very high,” she said, embracing the shift with her characteristic pragmatism. Her motto became clear: “I take every opportunity that comes.”

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2017: Won the European Ladies’ Rally Championship driving an Opel Adam.
• 2017: Captured four wins in the U27 European Rally Championship and finished 7th overall in the Junior Under 27 category.
• 2017: Became an Official Driver for Opel Motorsport, one of the youngest female professional drivers in the sport at the time.
• 2019: Finished 11th overall in the R5 category at WRC Rally Sweden, competing against top-level experienced drivers.
• 2021: Announced as a Championship Driver for Extreme E at age 23.
• Undated: Secured P2 at the Sardinia Island X Prix with teammate Timo Scheider for XITE Energy Racing, the team’s first finale and podium finish.

INSPIRATIONS

Molinaro’s clearest inspiration came from her family. Growing up in her parents’ rally team workshop, she was immersed in the sport from day one. Gigi Galli, the former WRC driver who gave her that first drive at age 11, played a pivotal role in lighting the spark. Beyond that, her path has been defined less by emulating heroes and more by seizing every chance that came her way.

REPUTATION

Molinaro earned respect quickly in European rallying circles, not just for her gender or age, but for her speed and consistency. When she tested with Max Pucher for TitansRX, she impressed him enough to earn a full-season seat—a clear endorsement of her raw talent and adaptability. RedBull’s talent scouts singled her out at 16, further proof that industry professionals saw something special. She has been noted for being at ease learning the rules of new disciplines, switching from rally to rallycross to Extreme E without losing her competitive edge.

Media coverage has consistently highlighted her youth and pioneering status as one of the youngest female professional drivers in European motorsport. At the time of her Opel signing in 2017, not many women had become professional drivers, and none at her age. She became the first female driver to compete in TitansRX. Her transition to Extreme E continued that trajectory, positioning her as a versatile, forward-thinking competitor willing to embrace new formats and challenges.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

“When I started my career, my goal was to become a professional WRC driver, so being at the start after years of dreaming seemed surreal,” Molinaro has said. That dream remains her North Star. While her career has taken her through rallycross and Extreme E—both driven by opportunity and necessity—her ultimate ambition is clear: a professional seat in the World Rally Championship. Whether budget, timing, or the right team alignment will allow that remains to be seen, but she’s proven she’ll take every door that opens and drive straight through it.

References:

Almasport Driver Profile: Tamara Molinaro
Females in Motorsport: Tamara Molinaro – I Take Every Opportunity That Comes
Speed Queens: Tamara Molinaro
RACER: Molinaro Announced as Latest Extreme E Championship Driver
LATI: LATI and Tamara Molinaro – Two Stories of Determination and Vision
Extreme E: Tamara Molinaro Joins Extreme E as Championship Driver
Green Racing News: Tamara Molinaro to Race Desert X Prix for XITE Energy Racing
RedBull: Fastest Young Women in Motorsports