Francesca Linossi

Francesca Linossi is an Italian GT racing champion from Brescia who made history as one of Italy’s most successful female GT drivers, claiming the Italian GT Pro-Am championship in 2019 and establishing herself as a fierce competitor in endurance and GT3 racing.

EARLY YEARS

Born February 15, 1992, in Brescia, Lombardia, Francesca Linossi grew up surrounded by motorsport. Her father, Luciano Linossi, began racing when she was five years old, and watching him compete sparked something in her that never faded. Racing was in the family DNA, and by the time she was a teenager, she knew exactly what she wanted to do.

At 15, she started racing cars, bypassing formula racing entirely and jumping straight into touring cars. It was a pragmatic decision—formula racing was expensive, and the touring car route made more financial sense. By 17, she was competing in the Ferrari Challenge, becoming the youngest driver in Italy to race GT cars over 2000cc while still under 18. She wasn’t there to play it safe; she was there to prove she belonged.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Francesca’s interests outside of racing is limited in available sources. What is clear is that racing isn’t just her career—it’s intertwined with her personal life. She races alongside Stefano Colombo, who is both her teammate and her life partner, creating a dynamic where passion for the sport and personal connection fuel each other on and off the track.

EARLY SUCCESS

Linossi’s early career was built on versatility and determination. She competed in various touring car and GT series, gaining experience in everything from the Italian Touring Car Endurance Championship to the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo. In 2016, she raced in the International GT Sprint Series, finishing seventh after nine races with a best result of fourth. That same year, she competed against her father in some races—both driving Lamborghinis—and even teamed up with him for one round, a rare and memorable moment of family competition.

Her breakthrough came as she transitioned fully into GT3 racing. She joined teams like Antonelli Motorsport and later Iron Lynx, honing her skills in highly competitive fields. By 2019, racing a Mercedes in the Italian GT Championship, she was ready to make her mark. Alongside Stefano Colombo and rotating third teammates, she claimed the Pro-Am class championship—her first major title and a validation of years of hard work.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2019: Won Italian GT Championship Pro-Am class title.
• 2021: Secured second Italian GT Pro-Am championship, doubling up on her success.
• 2021: Achieved first female victory of the Italian GT season at Monza in GT Cup class.
• 2021: Won stunning victory at Mugello in Race 1, closing in on the Sprint series title.
• Career: Accumulated 24 wins, 54 podiums, 12 poles, and 13 fastest laps across 158 races.
• 2024: Returned to Antonelli Motorsport for Italian GT Endurance series at Mugello, claiming Pro-Am podium.

INSPIRATIONS

Francesca’s biggest inspiration was watching her father race. From childhood, she was trackside, absorbing the energy, the risk, and the thrill of competition. That early exposure didn’t just familiarize her with motorsport—it ignited a passion that shaped her entire life. Racing wasn’t something she stumbled into; it was something she chose because she’d seen firsthand what it meant to commit to speed and strategy.

REPUTATION

Linossi has earned a reputation as a consistent, intelligent driver who thrives in GT endurance and sprint formats. Known for strong starts and tactical racecraft, she’s proven herself in some of Italy’s most competitive racing environments. She’s not flashy—she’s effective. Her ability to hold position under pressure and advance through the field has made her a respected name in Italian GT paddocks.

In 2019, she was selected as one of 28 drivers to test for the W Series, a recognition of her skill and competitive pedigree. While she didn’t join the series, the invitation alone underscored her standing among Europe’s top female racers. Teams like Antonelli Motorsport, Iron Lynx, and Easy Race have trusted her with competitive machinery, and she’s delivered results that justify that trust.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Specific future goals beyond 2024 are not detailed in available sources. However, given her continued presence in Italian GT competition and her strong partnership with teams like Antonelli Motorsport, it’s likely she’ll remain a fixture in GT3 and endurance racing, pushing for additional championships and race wins.

REFERENCES

Francesca Linossi: the queen of Italian GT – Racers Behind the Helmet
Francesca Linossi – Driver Database
Francesca Linossi – Racing Driver Profile – 51GT3
Francesca Linossi – Speedqueens
Italian GT: Francesca Linossi wins Mugello race 1 – Racers Behind the Helmet
Italian GT: Francesca Linossi wins GTCup – Racers Behind the Helmet
Francesca Linossi’s comeback in CIGT Endurance – Racers Behind the Helmet
The 28 drivers chosen to test the W Series car – Formula Scout
2021: Women in Motorsport, a Year in Review – Racers Behind the Helmet