ANTONELLA BASSANI Makes History as Youngest Woman in Stock Car Pro Series

September 30, 2025

by RACERS // from www.racers-behindthehelmet.com

• ANTONELLA BASSANI made history at 19 as the youngest woman ever to debut in Brazil’s Stock Car Pro Series, stepping into the #72 Toyota Corolla Cross to replace two-time champion Rubens Barrichello. The Porsche Cup rising star became only the fourth woman to compete in the series, following pioneers Regina Calderoni (1984), mentor Bia Figueiredo (2014-2019), and recent W Series graduate Bruna Tomaselli. Her debut came after an already impressive career trajectory that included winning Sprint Challenge Brazil on her race car debut in 2023 and finishing vice-champion in 2024.
• Despite facing a completely new car and Brazil’s most competitive racing field, BASSANI delivered a composed debut weekend at Velocitta. She qualified 15th in her group, just 1.3 seconds off the pace, then navigated chaotic opening laps in both races while steadily improving her laptimes. Her sprint race debut saw her climb from P28 to P24, avoiding multiple incidents while running competitive times in the 1:31s and briefly reaching seventh during pit cycles. The performance showcased her racecraft and ability to adapt quickly to the demanding Stock Car environment.
• BASSANI’s feature race performance was even more impressive, gaining 10 positions from P28 to finish P18 despite nursing engine issues throughout. She demonstrated strategic patience by running long stints, smart positioning during pit windows that briefly put her in the top ten, and aggressive late-race overtaking that saw her pass Felipe Massa and capitalize on others’ misfortunes. Her mistake-free driving and consistent pace improvement – including setting personal bests on fresh tires – proved she belongs in Brazil’s premier series and can compete wheel-to-wheel with established stars.
• The weekend represents a significant milestone for women’s motorsport in Brazil, with BASSANI following the mentorship path established by Bia Figueiredo while bringing her own fresh perspective to the championship. Her post-race reflection emphasized both the technical learning curve and the overwhelming support she received, positioning this debut as a launching pad rather than a one-off opportunity. With her proven track record of rapid progression through racing categories and this solid Stock Car foundation, BASSANI has established herself as a serious contender for future opportunities in Brazil’s most competitive racing series.

full time sports, stock car pro series, toyota corolla cross, velocitta