JUNE 19, 2013

Dennis doubts women to race in F1 soon

Ron Dennis has played down expectations there could be a female driver on the formula one grid in the near future.

Williams test driver Susie Wolff is pushing for a super license and expecting to contest next month's young drivers' test at Silverstone, while Maria de Villota was Marussia's test driver last year before her horrific Duxford crash.

Dennis, McLaren supremo, was asked this week when he thinks F1 will see a female driver on the grid once again.

"I don't think it will happen soon," he is quoted by Italy's La Repubblica.

"There are some sports that are difficult from a physical point of view for women, and formula one is one of them."

McLaren's lead driver Jenson Button, however, insists it is "possible" for women to race in F1.

"There are a couple of women racing in Nascar and Indycar, have actually won races," he said.

"The big issue is that I don't think women are given the opportunity at an early age.

"It is a very demanding sport, very specific training and taking time to get race fit. I personally think it's possible," added Button.

Meanwhile, Dennis has also been quoted as firing a barb at a former McLaren driver for losing focus on the real 'objective' of the sport.

"Some people lost sight of what the objective is," he said. "When you lost sight of what you are doing, then you lost sight of what it takes to be a world champion."

(GMM)