Maria Costello MBE is a legendary British motorcycle road racer who became a pioneer for women in motorsport. She gained public attention in May 2026 after suffering a catastrophic crash during qualifying for the Isle of Man TT, which has left her “currently paralyzed” and fighting for recovery.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Maria Costello MBE
Age: 52 (born 1974)
Nationality: British
Occupation: Professional Motorcycle Racer, Journalist
Known For: Being the first woman to stand on a solo podium at the Isle of Man TT (Manx GP); awarded MBE for services to motorcycle racing
Marital Status: Not confirmed
Children: Not confirmed
Early Life and Background
Before pursuing racing professionally, Costello worked as a veterinary nurse. Her passion for speed and competition eventually drew her away from the clinic and onto the track . She is a former pupil of Sponne School in Towcester, Northamptonshire, and remains a devoted supporter of the Northampton Saints rugby team .
Career and Achievements
Maria Costello has carved her name into the history of the Isle of Man TT, one of the most dangerous racing events in the world. She made her debut on the 37.7-mile Mountain Course 30 years ago, competing in the Manx Grand Prix.
In 2005, she became the first woman to stand on a solo podium at a Manx Grand Prix, finishing third in the Ultra-Lightweight TT. Throughout her illustrious career, she has lapped the notorious course at over 120 mph. In recognition of her services to motorsport and her role as a female pioneer, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2009.
She is a regular competitor in both solo and sidecar classes, having won numerous Manx GP Silver Replicas and TT Bronze Replicas. In her downtime, she also works as a racing journalist.
Major Event Or Controversy
On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Costello was involved in a high-speed incident at Brandish corner on the TT course. The crash occurred during the second lap of the evening’s qualifying session, just two miles from the start-finish line. Her sidecar passenger, Shaun Parker, was also injured in the accident.
Costello was initially airlifted to Noble’s Hospital on the Isle of Man with reported head injuries before being transferred to Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool (later moved to Walton Hospital for spinal treatment).
On May 31, 2026, a statement on a GoFundMe page confirmed the devastating extent of her injuries. In addition to multiple fractures (including her arm, ribs, sternum, nose, eye socket, and T5/T6 vertebrae), she has sustained a Grade 4 large liver laceration and is “currently paralyzed from T5/T6 down”.
Why She Is In the News
Costello is currently trending due to the severity of her crash, which has caused paralysis and sparked an outpouring of support for her recovery. A fundraising campaign has been launched to cover her significant rehabilitation and physiotherapy costs .
Conclusion
Maria Costello MBE is a true pioneer of motorsport who broke the gender barrier at the Isle of Man TT. As she faces the most difficult fight of her life recovering from paralysis the global racing community is rallying to support the woman known as “the luckiest woman alive” for simply getting to race around the Mountain Course.
