Lombardi grew up in Italy and developed an interest in racing by driving a delivery van for her family.

[6] After a brief experience with karting as a child, Lombardi bought her first car in 1965, racing in Formula Monza.

[2] In 1975, Lombardi was invited to join Vittorio Brambilla and Hans-Joachim Stuck on the March engineering team, racing the full season with Zanon's Lavazza Coffee Company’s sponsorship.

[2] At the opening race of the campaign in South Africa, Lombardi became the first woman, since Maria Teresa de Filippis in 1958, to successfully qualify for a Grand Prix.

1975 would prove to be an eventful season for the March Team, as Lombardi scored half a Championship point in the Spanish Grand Prix.

[9] Lombardi also successfully performed at other races, including the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, where she finished seventh.

At the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, Lombardi had a one-off drive for Williams.

She finished 14th at the Brazilian Grand Prix that year, and subsequently, the team decided to replace her with Ronnie Peterson.

Then, Lombardi briefly moved to RAM Racing, her best result being 12th at the Austrian Grand Prix.

[13] Journalist Phil Pash reports that though Lombardi viewed racing as a masculine sport, she succeeded regardless because of her 'competitive spirit.

[14] Chadwick argues that for women entering Formula One in 2022, financial support is a greater obstacle than gender.

[15] The W-series is a women’s racing championship, which eliminates financial barriers, and gives equal opportunity to female racers.