Louise Richardson says F1 is ready for a female driver
However, she doesn't believe there is currently one good enough to make the step up; Briton says it is key a woman is there for their ability rather than gender
Tuesday 14 April 2015 15:50, UK
Young British driver Louise Richardson believes F1 is ready for a female racer, but doesn’t think there is one currently good enough to make the step up.
The 22-year-old has spent her career competing mainly against men after taking up racing to follow in the footsteps of her father and brother.
The topic of a female driver in F1 was raised again after Bernie Ecclestone suggested a women-only championship, but Richardson says F1 is ready for a woman as long as they are there because of their ability, rather than their gender.
“It needs to be someone who gets there on merit,” Richardson, who races in the MSA Formula, told Sky Sports News HQ.
“They’ll need to be the full, perfect package to make the right impression in Formula 1 and to do well and to prove that women can be just as good [as men]. I think Formula 1 is ready for a female, but whether there are any females good enough who are close I am not 100 per cent sure about.”
Ecclestone’s suggestion of a separate championship for women has received support from Lotus development driver Carmen Jorda, but Richardson thinks it would actually be a backwards step.
“Personally I find it a bit demeaning, because since I started racing I’ve been out there fighting with boys and trying to prove that I am just as good as them and that I’m equal,” she added.
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“It is great that he is trying to give all women a bit of edge to try and make it to Formula 1, but I don’t really like the idea and I think he might annoy a few women around the world if it does get introduced.”
Richardson’s view was support by 2009 world champion Jenson Button, who sees no barriers to a woman joining him on the F1 grid.
“It is not a physical sport so there is no reason why a woman can’t be racing in Formula 1 against guys,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“Particularly these days with the way the cars are it is very mentally taxing and demanding, but physically… I can’t run a marathon the same speed as Paula Radcliffe, so I am sure that a woman with the right skillset could be as completive as any guy in F1 right now. So it is not necessary to have a separate championship.”
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