Ewy Rosqvist, a trailblazing figure in motorsport and former Mercedes-Benz works racing driver, has passed away at the age of 94 on July 4, 2024. Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH, paid tribute to her, saying, “Mercedes-Benz will always remember this extraordinary woman and her achievements and honor her memory. She has done a lot for motorsport – and at the same time she shaped the image of women in motorsport, especially as an overall winner against the strongest of her time.”
Born Ewy Jensson on August 3, 1929, in Stora Herrestad, southern Sweden, she was the only girl among five children in a farming family. After attending agricultural school and studying veterinary medicine, she worked as a veterinary assistant.
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This role required extensive travel across rural areas, where she honed her driving skills in a Mercedes-Benz Type 170 S, covering up to 200 kilometers daily on narrow dirt roads. In her autobiography “Journey through Hell,” Rosqvist recounted how her driving proficiency improved rapidly, allowing her to complete her routes significantly faster than her peers.
Her passion for motorsport ignited after marrying engineer Yngve Rosqvist in 1954. She first experienced rally driving by accompanying her husband in the Midnight Sun Rally, where she drove some stages and found a new calling. She entered her first rally in 1956, and despite parting ways with her husband a few years later, her dedication to rallying only grew. She became a prominent figure in the sport, winning the Women’s Cup at the Finnish Rally of 1,000 Lakes four times and numerous other women’s classifications across Europe. In 1959, she won the European Women’s Cup in a Volvo, besting Pat Moss, sister of Stirling Moss. Her achievements were recognized at the Monte Carlo Rally awards ceremony, where Princess Grace Patricia of Monaco presented her with the trophy.
Ewy’s rallying success eventually led her to a professional career. In 1960, she became a works driver for Volvo, and two years later, Mercedes-Benz recruited her and her co-driver Ursula Wirth. Their debut in the 1962 Svenska Rallyt till Midnattssolen saw them win the women’s cup in a Mercedes-Benz 220 SE. They continued to excel in subsequent races, culminating in a remarkable victory at the Argentinian Touring Car Grand Prix later that year, where Rosqvist set new speed records.
Rosqvist’s illustrious career included notable performances in 1963, such as a 16th place overall and winning the women’s cup at the Monte Carlo Rally, and victories in the Nürburgring six-hour race and the Argentinian Touring Car Grand Prix. In 1964, she continued her success with a class win at the Monte Carlo Rally and strong finishes in other major events. She retired from active racing after finishing third at the 1964 Argentinian Touring Car Grand Prix. That same year, she married Baron Alexander von Korff, Mercedes-Benz’s Director of Motorsport Activities.
After Baron von Korff’s death in 1977, Ewy von Korff-Rosqvist spent some years in Stuttgart before returning to Stockholm. She remained a passionate ambassador for Mercedes-Benz Classic, sharing her experiences and inspiring future generations. In 2019, she appeared in a short film recounting her 1962 Grand Prix victory, celebrating her legacy as an unexpected champion.
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