Often lost in the sexist claims directed at the motorsport for the use of grid girls is the fact that the sport is one of the few in which men and women can compete on an equal basis in the same category.
This gender equality is rare among other sports that divide into men’s and women’s categories. And women are competing in motorsport categories on a more regular basis, though opportunities are hard to come by.
It’s prompted Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone to suggest the creation of a women’s world championship to run alongside Formula One.
“For some reason, women are not coming through – and not because we don’t want them,” said Ecclestone.
“Of course we do, because they would attract a lot of attention and publicity and probably a lot of sponsors.
“We have to start somewhere so I suggested to the teams that we have a separate championship and maybe that way, we will be able to bring someone through to F1.
“They could race before the main event, or perhaps on the Saturday qualifying day so that they had their own interest.
“It is only a thought at the moment but I think it would be super for F1 and the whole grand prix weekend.”
Ecclestone hasn’t been very enlightened with his comments regarding women in motorsport in the past. But his idea has some merit and could be the way to truly encourage more women into racing.
With Susie Wolff and Carmen Jorda in test-driver roles this season and female drivers currently competing in IndyCar and NASCAR, a female Formula One series would give these talented drivers a chance to race on the world stage.
But as Wolff suggests, such a series could create a further gender divide and a move away from motorsport’s equal opportunity.
“I am aware that people are looking at different avenues but for me, that’s not the right direction at all,” said the Williams test driver.
“First of all, I don’t know where you’d find a full grid of female drivers who are good enough.
“Secondly, I have raced my whole career in motorsport as a normal competitor. Why would I ever look for a race where I was only competing against women?”
If Formula One was to create a female-only series, then it needs to keep the rules open for women to race against men in the current category, rather than segregate once and for all. And if the women’s series can help promote and develop female drivers, then it should be encouraged and developed.
Ecclestone is renowned for his out-there ideas. Remember his suggestion for Formula One to do away with championship points and hand out gold, silver and bronze medals for the podium getters?
But the women’s series has merit, so long as it’s not for segregation but rather development purposes.
Let’s hope this is one Ecclestone idea that he acts on.
Andrew Kitchener
Roar Guru
Not to mention a few in the NHRA series. John Force's daughters and Erica Enders-Stevens come readily to mind. Nothing easy about those machines.
nordster
Guest
....to another series....not a word written about the entertaining motogp and moto3 races on the weekend....Rossi vs Marquez, Miller edging into the points, Ducati managing to stay at the pointy end for races, Suzuki qualifying well albeit with a bag of tyre etc advantages, Danny Kent cruising in Moto3, an entertaining battle for places thru the rest of Moto3, Remy Gardner improving there also....hell there's even two girls, Herrera and Carrasco. There's a bunch of story ideas right there....instead its F1 politics and PC pseudo feminism on the Roar lol
Kaks
Roar Guru
"why don’t they go and scout out some keen female drivers and give them the neccessary training and preparation" or, instead of scouting females only, how about they just scout for the best driver regardless of their sex.
SM
Guest
What's this, the fifth article on this issue in the last fortnight? It's boring, move on.
b
Guest
This is a much better idea than a separate series, and achievable as a women's team could be staffed, a women's competition would probably have to be a substandard competition based on available numbers. As others have said, generating more interest and involvement at lower levels will lead to higher numbers in F1.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
No, a separate championship is not the way. If the hierarchs are so keen on seeing female drivers competing, then they should be backed into contesting the feeder categories first; GP3, GP2 or F3.5. And that could mean the introduction of specialised talent spotting teams that bring female drivers from all over the world into these feeder series to demonstrate their skills. Red Bull pride themselves on their young driver programme, why don't they go and scout out some keen female drivers and give them the neccessary training and preparation. As Susie Wolff rightly says, creating a divide is not going to help.
Constance
Roar Pro
No but I would like to see some female drivers being added not just as the test drivers
Kaks
Roar Guru
Most Formula 1 teams are struggling financially, I dont see how a womens series which will garner less attention and less sponsorship money will even be viable let alone sustainable
Freycinet1803
Roar Rookie
Probably a smarter move would be for a F1 team to actively promote a "women's team". Women make up a huge share of the commercial market and imagine if Nivea (or some other woman based business) became the main / major sponsor of an F1 team. Or even if a certain manufacturer pushed a women's based team. How many women are on the F1 board? Or FIA?
nordster
Guest
yeah i think its just a lack of volume in numbers of women involved. So not having the total numbers sufficient to end up with as many elite level drivers. It all takes time....unfortunately the PC types see 'oppression' and want everything to happen yesterday...just doesnt work that way. But you're right in that motorsport is the perfect forum for men and women to compete....the last thing it needs is a separate series.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I don't think they should have a separate series, they should be in the same series. Its not like a contact sport where men have an advantage, there is no reason why they can't compete equally with men in F1 or any other motorsport category.
Wayne
Roar Guru
How does being a woman or a man affect your driving capabilities in the slightest? Women drive in 410 & 360 Sprintcars, Wingless, Legend Cars, Speedcar classes. When your in the crowd, you just see cars anyway
nordster
Guest
Or just encourage more women in the feeder categories....once a separate series is created, that'll be that... Also f1 is very expensive is it not, so having a whole series for women is unaffordable given the likely insufficient interest to sustain it. More gals in gp2/3 would make more sense. And i know u progressivist sports writers are all keen to prove your feminist chops and all, but..... :) http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/04/10/female-formula-one-real/ Surely its not that interesting a topic to be done twice in as many weeks....or is f1 getting that boring? Betwen this and all the grid girl 'victim' articles....not to mention the tv rights analysis lol.....any chance of writing about actual motorsport action?