About Michèle Mouton

From the hills of southern France to the world's most demanding rally stages, Michèle Mouton has always followed her instinct — fast, fearless, and determined to prove that talent has no gender.

Her passion for driving began almost by accident, but it quickly became her calling. Starting out in small French rallies, she soon built a reputation for speed, precision, and an unshakable will to win. Her early successes with Alpine and Fiat opened doors that few women had ever approached — leading her to join Audi Sport at the dawn of a new era in rallying.

Driving the iconic Audi Quattro, Michèle rewrote history when she became the first — and to this day, only — woman to win a World Rally Championship event. Her victories during the sport's legendary and ferocious Group B years inspired a generation and helped prove the power of innovation and persistence — both mechanical and human.

What followed was a career defined by courage and excellence: wins across continents, record-breaking climbs, and a runner-up finish in the World Championship that cemented her place among motorsport's all-time greats.

After stepping out of the driver's seat, Michèle continued to shape the sport she loved. She co-founded the Race Of Champions, uniting the world's best drivers in friendly competition, and later took on key leadership roles within the FIA. As President of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, she championed opportunities for women across all disciplines. She then became FIA WRC Manager, overseeing safety and sporting standards at the highest level of rallying — earning admiration for her authority, fairness, and passion.

Today, her story remains one of inspiration — a reminder that determination, discipline, and belief can take you anywhere, as long as you dare to drive your own path.

Career Highlights

Major Championships and Titles

World Rally Championship Runner-up 1982
German Rally Champion 1986
European Rally Championship Runner up 1977

WRC Victories (World Rally Championship)

Rally Sanremo 1981 (Italy) - first woman to win a WRC rally
Rally Portugal 1982
Acropolis Rally 1982 (Greece)
Rally Brazil 1982

Other Victories and Notable Achievements

Class victory (2-liter prototype) at 24 Hours of Le Mans 1975 (21st overall) - all-female crew
Tour de France Rally winner 1978
Winner Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 1985

Honors and Distinctions