Will Danica Patrick Be The First Female F1 Driver?
May 03, 2008
SI.com
Jenson Button could end up with a female team-mate before very long.
His Honda boss has offered talks to pint-sized American racer Danica Patrick after she made history in the Indy Racing League series.
Patrick made her IndyCar debut in 2005, however, it was not until three years later, driving for Andretti Green Racing, that she claimed her first victory, winning the Indy Japan 300 and thereby becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar race.
The American is now hoping to test her skills in Formula One, admitting that she would relish a ‘proper’ test with one of the teams.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a real, proper test.
“I was asked to do a demonstration lap at Indy in 2005, and I said, ‘No way. You’re making me a show. That’s embarrassing.’ But I would say that a real test is absolutely something I would do.”
And she even has the backing of the sport’s ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, who believes Patrick has the credentials, as well as the glamour, for Formula One. Joining motorsport’s elite has been a lifelong ambition for Patrick.
Patrick was Lewis Hamilton-style rookie of the year in the IRL in 2005 and has raced since she was 10.
She earned her spurs in Britain in the late 1990s and hit the spotlight when she was runner-up in the toughest learner event in the world, the Brands Hatch Festival. Patrick is such a passionate racer that she has even rated winning America’s top race, the Indy 500, better than sex.
“The recognition is far greater,” she declared.
Because of the complexities of current F1 machines she is unlikely to be considered for a race seat without a season as a test driver first.
Sources in America say a link with the Honda race team is particularly attractive to Patrick now their resurrection has begun under design legend Ross Brawn, who helped make Michael Schumacher world champion seven times.
