On October 10, 1981, Michèle Mouton made history by becoming the first woman to win a round of the World Rally Championship in San Remo, driving an Audi Quattro. This remarkable achievement not only marked a significant milestone in motorsport but also showcased the exceptional talent and determination of a young woman who rose from humble beginnings in a small French gardening family. Growing up, she honed her driving skills behind the wheel of a modest Citroen 2 CV, a mere 20-horsepower vehicle, before transitioning to a powerful rally car boasting 500 horsepower and competing against the male elite of the sport.
The rally event drew considerable attention, initially focused on the German driver Walter Röhrl, who was behind the wheel of a factory-prepared Porsche 911, supported by a French team and sponsored by a lingerie brand from France. However, his hopes were dashed due to an axle failure early in the competition. This turn of events shifted the spotlight to a young Italian driver, Michele Cinotto, who was driving an Audi Quattro financed by his father to compete in the national championship. Mouton's early performance at the rally was less than stellar; she found herself in 13th position after the initial stages but was determined to chase down the reigning world champion, Ari Vatanen, who was leading in a factory Ford Escort.
As the rally progressed, Cinotto pushed his Audi to the limits, delighting the local fans with spectacular drifts. However, his ambition led to disaster when he crashed, clearing the path for Mouton, who was known for her striking appearance and earned the nickname "Black Volcano" due to her dark hair and intense drive. At this point, Mouton had never placed second in a World Championship event, and with only one man—Finnish driver Ari Vatanen—standing between her and a historic victory, the stakes were high.
Mouton had managed to build a lead of over three minutes against Vatanen on the gravel stages, but misfortune struck when a rock lodged between her wheel's rim and brake disc caused a brake caliper to fail, leading to a blocked wheel and damage to the drive shaft. Though the Audi mechanics worked quickly to fix the brakes, Mouton still lost precious time and ended the penultimate stage with only a 34-second lead ahead of Vatanen.
Her co-driver, Fabrizia Pons, recounted the tense atmosphere leading to the final stage. While other competitors retired to rest, Mouton took to the hills once more for last-minute training. The anticipation among fans was palpable, as thousands lined the narrow mountain roads to witness the showdown between Vatanen and Mouton. While Vatanen maneuvered his smaller Escort with relative ease, Mouton had to wrestle her larger Audi through the challenging terrain, managing over 500 gear shifts and approximately 700 braking actions without the aid of modern electronic systems.
In a stroke of luck for Mouton, Vatanen suffered a tire failure, eliminating his chances for victory. Pons later remarked that they may have also had a little help from two Smurf figurines given to them by an elderly man before the final stage. Ultimately, Mouton crossed the finish line with a remarkable lead of 3.25 minutes ahead of Henri Toivonen in a Talbot Lotus, leading to an ecstatic celebration at the finish in San Remo. The scene was overwhelming; Pons recalled how they were not only showered with flowers but also had mechanics dousing them with wine and champagne, an exuberant celebration of the monumental win.
However, this historic victory was bittersweet for Mouton. Just hours after her triumph, she received the devastating news that her cousin had died in a parachuting accident in Los Angeles, overshadowing her joy. Despite this tragedy, Mouton continued to excel in her career, winning additional World Championship rallies in Portugal, Greece, and Brazil in 1982, although she ultimately lost the championship to Walter Röhrl by a narrow margin of 12 points. Nevertheless, she helped Audi secure the manufacturers' championship alongside her teammates Stig Blomqvist and Hannu Mikkola.
Mouton later ventured into the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, where she claimed victory in 1985 with an Audi Sport Quattro. In 1986, she earned the title of German Rally Champion, becoming the only female to hold that title at the time. Today, at 75, Mouton continues to be a prominent figure in motorsport, organizing the Race of Champions and serving as the official manager of the World Rally Championship since 2011, all while enjoying a quieter life in her hometown of Grasse. Reflecting on her groundbreaking journey, she fondly remembers her wild days in October 1981, when she shattered barriers and set a precedent for women in motorsport.
As reported by speedweek.com.
