Desire of Formula One

Désiré Wilson waits in the cockpit of his Tyrrell 010, as Ken Tyrrell and one of the mechanics work around her car before the 1981 South African Grand Prix (non-World Championship), held at the Kyalami circuit.

Désiré Wilson (born 26 November 1953) is a former South African racing driver, and is one of only five women to have competed in a Formula One Grand Prix weekend. She entered the 1980 British Grand Prix in a Williams FW07 entered by RAM Racing, but failed to qualify.

Here at Kyalami in 1981, she reached an agreement with Ken Tyrrell for this race only (photo below) and qualified in 16th position, stalled at the start, made good progress in the rain before sliding off, being lapped by the leader, and hitting a wall…

Désiré Wilson became the only woman to win in an F1 car when she won the Brands Hatch round in a Theodore Racing Wolf WR4 in the 1980 British Aurora F1 Championship.