In the wake of the signing of rookies Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan, both drivers having previously worked with the team's sporting director Trevor Carlin, we wonder if another young hopeful might soon find a seat with either Jordan or Midland F1.

Japanese race driver, Keiko Ihara, has signed to drive for the Carlin F3 Team in the 2005 British F3 Championship with backing from Ivy Cosmetics. Ivy has selected the former model not only for her experience in single seater racing but also to promote their extensive range of cosmetics.

Team Principal, Trevor Carlin, is delighted to have Keiko in the Team: "We like breaking new ground and one day, there will be a successful female driver in F1. Keiko is joining us to train herself for the higher formula, following in the footsteps of B.A.R driver, Takuma Sato, who won the British F3 Championship for us in 2002."

Keiko Ihara has worked very hard to reach this opportunity, having raced in the 2001 French F3 Championship, the 2003 Formula BMW Asia series and last year in Formula Dream in Japan.

"It is not easy for a woman to get to the top in Formula racing - sometimes it is difficult to be taken seriously - Ivy have given me a great opportunity by backing me for the Carlin drive and I am determined to reward their support with results on the track."

Please note: Before you write in, yes this is 100% genuine.

If Midland don't sign her up in the near future, we're pretty sure that a publicity-wise outfit in Milton Keynes will.