ANU Professor Antonia Terzi killed in car crash

Professor Terzi, 50, joined the the Canberra campus of the ANU's College of Engineering and Computer Science last year after a worldwide search for a new professor of aerospace engineering.

Extraordinarily well qualified for the role, Professor Terzi had been planning to physically resume her position at the ANU until the COVID lockdown prevented international travel.

She was a key architect of the newly approved major in Aerospace Systems Engineering at the ANU.

Born in Italy, Professor Terzi broke many barriers in her profession and was a role model across the globe.

She achieved a Master in Materials Engineering from Modena University and a PhD in Engineering from Exeter University in the UK.

She then became one of the first women to take a senior role in the male-dominated high-tech world of Formula One motor racing.

She was recruited into the prestigious Ferrari team where she worked with chief aerodynamicist Rory Byrne until 2001.

She then moved across to the Williams F1 team as chief aerodynamicist when the team then joined forces with German engine maker BMW.

For the 2004 season, she caused a huge stir in F1 circles when her so-called "walrus" or "hammerhead" aero nose design was introduced on the FW26 Williams race car.

The design was not an immediate success as it was difficult to set up on the car and had to be later abandoned in favour of a more conventional design but it stamped Professor Terzi's reputation as designer prepared to forge a fresh path within the global sport.

When she left Formula One, she moved to luxury car maker Bentley, where she was in charge of the manufacturer's aerodynamics.

Switching to academia, she became assistant professor in the faculty of Aerospace Engineering at the widely respected Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands.

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There her interest in sustainable mobility led to the co-development of the Superbus, an electric gull-winged bus which could carry 23 passengers.

In a co-written tribute sent to all staff and students from the ANU College of Engineering, the interim Dean, Professor Nick Birbilis, and Chris Kellett, the school's director, said they were "deeply saddened by Antonia's passing, and we share this mourning with the whole of the ANU community".

"There are many tributes emerging from the Formula 1 community, each showcasing just how much of an impact that Antonia had, both as an exceptional aerodynamicist, and as an exceptional colleague," they said in the statement.

A memorial will be held in Canberra at a later date.

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