Guest blog by Thiemo Albers-Daly
Sofia D’ambrosio is an Italian Rally Co-Driver and pharmacy student. She’s competed in a number of rallies in recent years including the Vallemanga where she finished in third place and the DuValli CRZ which she won along with Ilario Bondioni. D’ambrosio was also part of the winning team at the Camunia Rally.
Moreover, Sofia has raced in the Rally Roma, the Rally San Marino, the Rally Alba…the list goes on. Needless to say then that she’s got a fair amount of experience under her belt and seems to be going from strength to strength.
We caught up recently to chat about how she got into motorsport to begin with, what it is about being a rally co-driver that she loves so much, her favourite film and much more. I hope you enjoy our conversation.
What first got you into motorsport?
As a child I didn’t like motorsport. In fact I hated rally! I considered it dangerous and I thought that rallyists were crazy. My parents have always loved the discipline and they took me to races.
Years later I met a friend who brought me to “Monza Rally Show”, a very suggestive event that let me get closer to the drivers and co-drivers and this interested me a lot, so much, it pushed me to try and from that moment I never stopped racing.
Why do you love rallying/being a rally co-driver so much?
I love every aspect of my role. Focus, meticulousness, precision, organization, method, discipline, courage, cold bloodedness, and ambition, but above all the emotions that this sport gives you, in my opinion, are unique and inexplicable. Those few minutes where you tighten your belts and you’re ready to go… such inexplicable emotion and adrenaline.
Do you have a favourite racing memory so far?
Over the past year, good memories are truly many. I won my first overall race at Rally Camunia and after a few months, my second at 2 Valli CRZ, too. When I started racing I wondered if that moment would ever come for me, and it did. It’s really true that deep passion is rewarded sooner or later.
What was it like winning at the Rally Two Valley CZ?
The win at 2 Valleys CRZ was quite unexpected. The home drivers were very strong and the pace was very high. We believed in it from the first stage and we succeeded! Being on the first step of the podium is really a strong emotion!
What are your plans for 2022?
This year I’m very busy with university so probably I won’t be able to do so many races like last year. Anyway I’ll surely take part in some CRZ races and some of the Gravel Italian Championship and then surely others that are not yet defined.
Which drivers would you like to work with in the future?
There are not any particular drivers I would like to work with. It’s always important for me to grow and learn more. For sure I would like to thank my drivers who have made me grow a lot until today.
What has been the biggest challenge for you to deal with in motorsport?
Certainly when I started I didn’t know how I would react. Maybe the fear of speed could take over. But all this didn’t happen, luckily.
Another challenge was getting back in car after a rollover. It wasn’t easy, but the passion was strong enough for me to continue.
If you had to compete in a different sport, which would you choose?
I’ve always been fascinated by rafting, perhaps because it gives me the idea of being very adrenaline-pumping. But I sincerely believe that no sport could do for me if not this one that I’m practicing.
Which three words would you use to describe yourself?
Ambitious, stubborn and determined!
What is your favourite film?
“Titanic”, as an incurable romantic!
Thanks again to Sofia for taking the time to chat and we wish her the best of luck for 2022 and beyond.
Paddock Sorority 
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