They have ruled countries, ventured into space and successfully led on battlefields, but when it comes to Formula One women are yet to find their feet. Only five women drivers have gate crashed the F1 party since its inception in 1950. The last of them was Italian Giovanna Amati, running for the Brabham team in 1992. She made several attempts, but failed to qualify for the South African, Mexican and Brazilian GP and was later replaced by Damon Hill. Italian Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first to storm the male bastion in 1958.
She did show some spark by finishing 10th at the Belgian GP. The only woman to succeed in scoring point was another Italian, Lella Lombardi, who managed a sixth place in the Spanish GP in 1975. However, she made her way out after competing in 12 Grand Prix’s.
The few attempts have only fuelled the belief that women lack the stamina and mental agility to compete successfully at the top level.
F1 star Eddie Irvine once, rather infamously, said women “don’t have the right brain make-up”.
So what’s stopping women? “No one has proved that women lack the stamina to drive an F1 car. There is no logical or scientific reason why we can’t be as good as men in racing. The problem is parents and sponsors who treat them less seriously than their male counterparts and there is no money to go around at the grass roots. In some countries, religion and culture are also a factor,” said Monisha Narang, the boss of Sauber F1 team.
Karun Chandhok says F1 cars are not as physical as they used to be with the power-steering systems. “I think the girls may struggle more physically in a GP2 car. It’s a question of opportunities. Do team owners and sponsors truly believe in the driver’s ability or are they nervous about thinking outside the box,” Karun added.
The Lotus driver says he has seen some good women drivers over the years. “Michele Mouton (rally driver in the 80s) is probably the best the sport has seen but since then Danica Patrick has done well in America. Now, Susie Stoddart and young Alice Powell have got the ability but perhaps not had the opportunities thus far to take them to F1. I believe the FIA are looking at ways to develop talented women drivers and maybe in the future it will be a different story,” Karun said.
After her historic victory in the IRL Motegi Japan race in 2008, Danica was offered a test drive with Honda. But the IndyCar poster girl showed little interest. If the current rumours are to be believed, Maria de Villota could well end the long wait next year. The 31-year-old Spaniard, daughter of former F1 driver Emilio de Villota, tested a Renault car at Paul Ricard circuit in August, and earlier this month she re-appeared in the car during the World Series race weekend at Barcelona.
Motor sport governing body, the FIA, established a commission under the presidency of former world rally-winning driver Michele Mouton to promote active participation by women. “The commission’s aim is to put in place strategies and policies that will promote education and training. It will strengthen the participation of women in all areas of motor racing,” added Monisha, the first woman boss in F1.