Christine Giampaoli Zonca

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• FULL BIO: Christine Giampaoli Zonca

   

  Christine GZ is a trailblazing female racer who has overcome geographical, financial, and gender barriers to establish herself as a formidable competitor in international motorsport, particularly in off-road and rally disciplines.

  EARLY YEARS

  Born on July 22, 1993, in Pondicherry, India, to Italian parents, Christine Giampaoli Zonca experienced a multicultural childhood that took her from India to Milan, Italy at age eight, and later to the Canary Islands. Despite having no family background in motorsports, she developed an intense passion for cars, filling her bedroom with posters and toy cars. After high school in Fuerteventura, Christine briefly studied economics in Prague to please her parents before returning to the Canary Islands to pursue her true dream of becoming a race car driver, eventually gaining her parents’ support on the condition she continue her education.

  EARLY SUCCESS

  Christine’s racing journey began unconventionally when she worked as a mechanic’s assistant at a neighbor’s garage to learn the fundamentals, eventually purchasing a 1988 Golf MKII chassis as her entry point into motorsport. While pursuing a degree in Motorsport Engineering Technology from the University of Birmingham, she made her competitive breakthrough in 2014 during her first full rally season, campaigning a homebuilt Toyota Corolla AE92 FWD in the Canarian Championship. Her consistent performances throughout the season earned her the Overall Championship of Canaries in the Front-Wheel Drive category, along with both the 2WD and Provincial Championships that same year—impressive achievements for a rookie season with limited resources.

  NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2014: Won the Overall Championship of Canaries in the Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) category, plus 2WD and Provincial Championships[1].
  • 2015: Finished as runner-up in her class in the Canarian Gravel Championship[1].
  • 2016: Competed in the prestigious Mint 400 off-road race in Las Vegas with Dynamic Racing[1].
  • 2022: Joined Veloce Racing’s Extreme E team, competing in the all-electric off-road racing championship[5].

  REPUTATION

  Christine has earned respect in motorsport circles for her unconventional path and do-it-yourself approach to racing. Known for her “Never give up” motto, she has built a reputation as a resilient competitor who overcame a late start, financial constraints, and gender barriers in a male-dominated sport. Her engineering background gives her a technical edge that complements her driving skills, while her ability to build, repair, and race her own vehicles showcases a complete racer’s skillset. As a Can-Am Ambassador and Extreme E competitor, Christine serves as an inspiration for women aspiring to enter motorsport, demonstrating that passion and determination can overcome traditional barriers to entry.

  FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

  For 2025 and beyond, Christine aims to continue advancing in electric and off-road racing disciplines, particularly in the Extreme E series where she hopes to consistently achieve podium finishes. She plans to leverage her technical background and growing experience to further develop as a driver while also expanding her media presence, building on her work as a presenter with DAZN’s Formula 1 coverage. Christine remains committed to promoting sustainability in motorsport and creating more opportunities for women drivers, with ambitions to become an influential voice in the evolving landscape of electric racing.

  References:

  Christine GZ Racing Profile
  Motorsport Magazine Interview
  Extreme E Team Announcement
  Can-Am Ambassador Press Release
  Veloce Racing Team Profile