First female motorsport champion Yvette Fontaine celebrates 80th birthday with documentary

Yvette Fontaine, a pioneering figure in motorsport and the first woman to be crowned a world champion in the sport, recently celebrated her 80th birthday. Her milestone was marked by a surprise party organized by friends and family, featuring memorabilia from her celebrated career, including replicas of the cars she raced and matching outfits.

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Nobody told me anything.

Fontaine's journey in motorsport began at age 18, initially with rallies, but she soon found her passion on the circuit. Her career highlights include competing in iconic endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Spa and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1969, she achieved a historic victory, becoming the first woman to win a circuit championship, a moment she recalls as "fantastic."

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It was very nice to see her again.

Reflecting on the evolution of motorsport, Fontaine expressed a detachment from the current state of racing. She noted significant changes in the cars and the overall landscape, stating that it no longer holds her interest. In her era, she emphasizes, financial barriers were less significant, allowing her to compete with a regular car, a stark contrast to today's requirements.

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That feeling remains fantastic, of course.

As a seasoned veteran, Fontaine offers advice to aspiring racers, recommending karting as the foundational step. She believes it teaches essential driving skills, particularly the ability to handle identical vehicles, which is crucial for developing talent. A documentary celebrating her life and career is also in the works, though a release date has not yet been set.

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Everything has changed, including the cars. That makes it so that it doesn't really interest me anymore. I don't even watch it anymore.