Christine Giampaoli Zonca

Christine Giampaoli Zonca—known in the racing world as Christine GZ—is an Italian-Spanish rally and off-road driver who’s made her mark competing in some of the world’s most brutal terrain, from the electric chaos of Extreme E to the unforgiving desert of the Dakar Rally.

EARLY YEARS

Born on July 22, 1993, in Pondicherry, India, to Italian parents with a serious case of wanderlust, Christine’s childhood was anything but static. Her family’s passion for travel meant she grew up in constant motion—a fitting origin story for someone who’d spend her life chasing speed. At eight years old, the family relocated to Milan, Italy, before finally settling in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. It was there, surrounded by volcanic landscapes and winding mountain roads, that the motorsport bug bit hard. She caught it, and she never looked back.

Christine’s path into racing wasn’t paved with privilege or family connections. She didn’t grow up with a racing dynasty behind her. What she did have was grit, mechanical know-how, and an unshakeable determination to build her own way in. Living in Tenerife gave her access to the raw, challenging terrain that would become her training ground—and her obsession.

OTHER INTERESTS

Christine is a triple-threat linguistically, speaking Italian, Spanish, and English fluently—a skill set that’s served her well navigating the international racing circuit. She’s also an advocate for mental health awareness in motorsport, speaking openly about the psychological toll of high-level competition and recovery after serious injury. Her influences extend beyond the track: she credits motivational author Robin Sharma with changing her perspective on life, and she looks up to fellow racer Albert Llovera for embodying what “never give up” truly means.

When she’s not behind the wheel, Christine is creating content—documenting her racing life on YouTube and social media, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the off-road racing world. She’s personable, funny, and refreshingly real about the highs and lows of her career.

EARLY SUCCESS

Christine kicked off her competitive career in the Canary Islands, earning the 2014 Canary Islands Gravel Champion title in the 2WD category, piloting a Toyota Corolla AE92. It was scrappy, it was grassroots, and it was all hers. The following year, she stepped up to the Spanish Gravel Championship, making her debut with a Peugeot 208 R2.

But here’s where it gets interesting: Christine didn’t just race—she built and fixed her own cars. That mechanical aptitude opened an unexpected door during a desperate phase of her career. She moved to North America, where she competed with Dynamic Racing in the U.S. and Mexico, notching a sixth-place finish at the legendary Baja 1000. She also worked as a driver instructor for Audi and attended events like the NEC Autosport International in Birmingham, piecing together income and experience wherever she could find it.

Christine later attended Birmingham City University, earning a degree in Motorsport Technology—proof that she was as serious about understanding the machines as she was about driving them.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2014: Won Canary Islands Gravel Championship in 2WD category with Toyota Corolla AE92.
• 2015: Debuted in Spanish Gravel Championship with Peugeot 208 R2.
• 2019: Joined Maxxis roster, sponsored by the tire company alongside Dynamic Racing.
• 2019: Became worldwide brand ambassador for Can-Am BRP, attending events across South America.
• 2020: Signed with Xite Energy Team (formerly Hispano Suiza) to compete in the inaugural Extreme E season.
• 2021: Raced alongside Oliver Bennett at Xite in Extreme E, achieving fifth place at the inaugural Desert X-Prix; competed with Avatel Telecom Racing Team, securing second place in T1N Cross-Country Championship.
• 2022: Joined Veloce Racing as the female driver for Extreme E; suffered a suspected fractured ankle during a heavy crash at the Desert X-Prix.
• 2023: Competed for Carl Cox Motorsport in Extreme E, earning her first-ever podium finish at the Hydro X Prix.
• 2024: Made Dakar Rally debut, piloting the #429 Can-Am Maverick in the SSV class (formerly T4).
• 2025: Confirmed as driver for JBX (formerly JBXE) in Extreme E and the FIA Extreme H World Cup.

INSPIRATIONS

Christine has cited Robin Sharma, the leadership and personal development author, as a major influence who fundamentally changed her outlook on life. She also admires Albert Llovera, a Paralympic racer and Andorran hero, for his relentless perseverance in the face of adversity. These aren’t just names she drops—they represent the mindset she’s cultivated: resilient, growth-oriented, and unapologetically determined.

REPUTATION

Christine GZ has earned a reputation as one of the fastest and most versatile off-road drivers in the world. She’s known for her technical skill, her ability to adapt across disciplines—from rally to desert racing to electric off-road competition—and her willingness to speak candidly about the realities of motorsport, including the mental health challenges athletes face. After her 2022 crash in Saudi Arabia, she documented her recovery process both physically and mentally, becoming a vocal advocate for athletes having access to mental health support.

She’s not just fast—she’s relatable. Her social media presence and content creation have made her accessible to fans in a way that traditional drivers often aren’t. She’s charismatic, down-to-earth, and unafraid to show vulnerability, which has endeared her to a growing fanbase that appreciates authenticity as much as speed.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Christine is set to race with JBX (formerly JBXE) in both Extreme E and the FIA Extreme H World Cup starting in 2025, alongside rallycross star Tommi Hallman. She’s thrilled to be stepping into what she calls “the future of off-road racing,” continuing her work pioneering diversity and representation in a sport still dominated by men. With her mechanical expertise, racing pedigree, and growing platform, Christine GZ is positioning herself not just as a competitor, but as a leader in the next generation of motorsport.

REFERENCES

Christine GZ – Wikipedia
Christine GZ | Off Road Driver | Official Website
Christine Giampaoli Zonca Biography | ChristineGZ.com
Christine GZ moves to Veloce Racing for 2022 Extreme E season
Can-Am Ambassador – Christine GZ – BRP World
Extreme E Series Vol. 3 Christine Giampaoli-Zonca – Paddock Sorority
Behind The Wheel With Christine GZ – IMBOLDN
Driver Portrait – Christine Giampaoli Zonca
Christine GZ: The Comeback – YouTube
Christine GZ and Dynamic Racing Join Maxxis Roster
Desert X-Prix: Hamilton’s X44 squad tops qualifying heats – Autosport
Onwards and upwards for Veloce Racing after a challenging double header
Christine GZ Talks About the Importance of Mental Health in Athletes
Christine GZ | Professional Rally & Off-Road Driver | IMPOSSIBLE
Jenson Button’s JBX Confirmed for FIA Extreme H World Cup – News
Patrick O’Donovan and Christine GZ announced as Championship Drivers for Desert X Prix
Christine GZ making Dakar Rally debut in 2024 – The Checkered Flag
Christine GZ switches from Xite Extreme E team to Veloce – DirtFish
JBX confirms Extreme E return; Extreme H World Cup entry – RACER
Meet Christine GZ: The BCU graduate racing her way to success