Born in Rome, Cerruti attended the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, studying Psychology.

[1] Cerruti's racing career began after her father Aldo 'Baronio' Cerruti, also a racing driver, decided to enrol her in a safe driving course with Mario Ferraris, son of Romeo Ferraris, a race-car tuner and constructor.

Impressed by Michela's 'speed and instinctive car control', Ferraris convinced Cerruti's father to let her race.

[1] She debuted in the Italian Touring Endurance Championship (CITE) in 2008, racing an Alfa Romeo 147, sharing the drive with Mario Ferraris, finishing third in the class standings.

For 2010 she stepped up to the Superstars Series, racing a Mercedes C63 AMG for the Romeo Ferraris team.