Red Bull boss Christian Horner reckons women drivers in F1 'only a matter of time'
Horner says "some very talented young girls coming through" ranks
By James Galloway
Last Updated: 16/01/14 11:23am
Last year Williams development driver Susie Wolff became the first woman to take part in an official session in over 20 years when she drove at the Silverstone Young Driver Test, while the late Maria de Villota served as a test driver for Marussia.
Italy's Giovanna Amati was the last female to compete in a grand prix weekend, failing to qualify for three events in 1992, and although Horner doesn't think there is yet a woman driver of sufficient quality ready to join the grid, the Red Bull Team Principal reckons the next generation of young stars could provide one.
"There's been an awful lot made about female drivers in Formula 1," Horner was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.
"The best marketing thing that we could do would be to have a female driver. That's not to say there won't be but, at the moment, there isn't one that could cut it at the front.
"Susie is a very capable driver. Whether on merit she would make the cut at the moment is difficult to judge. But there are some very talented young girls coming through and it's only a matter of time."
Five female drivers have featured in F1 since its inception, although only two have qualified for a race. Maria Teresa de Filippis started three grands prix in 1958 while Lella Lombardi featured 12 times in 1975-76.
The Sky Sports F1 Online team will be providing live commentary of all three winter tests, starting in Jerez on Tuesday January 28, with live updates from trackside also on Sky Sports News.