"La Divina" is the official ambassador of the sixth round of the FIA World Rally Championship – the only one held in Italy. “I can’t wait to jump into a rally car,” she said.

Olbia, May 7th 2025 – Federica Pellegrini has been named ambassador of the 2025 Rally Italia Sardegna, the Italian round of the FIA World Rally Championship, taking place in Olbia and across northern Sardinia from 4th to 8th June 2025.

Federica Pellegrini – “I’m excited and honoured to be the ambassador of the 2025 Rally Italia Sardegna! It will be my very first time attending a rally event and I couldn’t be happier that this incredible experience will take place right here in Italy, surrounded by the stunning landscapes of Sardinia. I can’t wait to jump into a rally car for a co-driver experience and feel the unique adrenaline of this sport, taking in the amazing views from a completely different perspective. I love putting positive energy into everything I do and dedicating myself to what brings me true passion. I’m sure this will be an incredibly immersive adventure. I sincerely thank the organisers for the invitation – it will certainly be unforgettable and I’m ready to embrace every emotion the Rally Italia Sardegna has to offer!”

“We are delighted to welcome Federica Pellegrini,” said General Tullio Del Sette, Special Commissioner of the Automobile Club d’Italia, the national sporting authority behind the Italian round of the WRC, “into the world of four wheels, through a prestigious stage like Rally Italia Sardegna. This is a perfect match between two pillars of Italian excellence, recognised and admired around the globe. With her talent, passion and determination, she has always embodied the fundamental values of sport – values that ACI fully shares and promotes as the national motorsport federation. Federica Pellegrini’s presence in this 2025 edition not only makes us proud, but adds significant value both to the rally and to the World Championship.”

Federica will be involved in the key moments of the event. On Thursday June 5th at 20:00, she will take the stage at the Service Park in Isola Bianca for the grand opening ceremony, and she will return to the main stage on Sunday at 16:00 for the official finish. Throughout the weekend, she will soak in the atmosphere of the WRC, up close with the adrenaline, speed and intensity of Rally Italia Sardegna – the pinnacle of rallying in Italy. It will be a unique experience, shared with the general public and the thousands of fans coming from all over the world.

Widely considered one of the greatest Italian athletes of all time, Federica Pellegrini was the first Italian woman to win Olympic Gold Medal in swimming (Beijing 2008, 200m freestyle) and remains the only swimmer in the world to have earned a medal in eight consecutive World Championship finals in the same event. Her career boasts 6 World Championship golds, 7 silvers and 14 European titles. She held the 200m freestyle world record from 2009 to 2023 (1:52.98) – a time that still stands as the European and Italian record.

Her presence at Rally Italia Sardegna symbolises a meeting between two icons: a legend of Italian sport and a world-class motorsport event held on Italian soil. It is a collaboration strongly desired by the Automobile Club d’Italia, organiser of the WRC round on the italian island since 2004, with the support of the Regione Sardegna.