Bernie Ecclestone admits that he hasn't given up on the idea of a woman racing in Formula One, the 82-year-old revealing that he still keeps an eye on Danica Patrick.

Contrary to what some sections of the mainstream media might think, if Ecclestone were to lure a woman on to the F1 grid she won't be the first, however, she would be guaranteed the sort of media attention and riches her predecessors could only dream of.

Whilst Suzie Wolff would dearly love to be the one, talking to the official F1 website, Ecclestone admits that he still has his eye on NASCAR star Danica Patrick. Though he has sent out mixed signals in the past, including referring to her as 'white goods', essentially suggesting she should remain in the kitchen, Ecclestone remains a fan..

Linked with F1 on numerous occasions, Patrick was at one stage scheduled to test for Honda however the Japanese manufacturer subsequently withdrew from the sport. She was also liked with the still-born US F1 but subsequently revealed she had never even heard from the team.

Weeks after taking pole for the legendary Daytona 500, Ecclestone was asked if Patrick could still find a berth in F1. "There should be no reason why not, providing that we find a team to take her," said Ecclestone. "Danica would be good to have with one of the teams now.

"All the things that people worry about - whether a woman can cope with the G-forces and all that - she has proven that she can," he added. "She's been there and done it. What I think - and I cannot blame her for it - is that she will hardly want to give up the exposure she has in the US to come here and maybe not make it.

Asked how long it might take to find an alternative to Patrick, Ecclestone admitted: "I have been looking for a woman for years! I always thought that this could be a good idea."