Bernie Ecclestone has said the idea of a woman taking part in F1 "would not be taken seriously".

His comment comes days after the death of the first woman to contest a Grand Prix, Maria Teresa De Filippis, who participated in 3 Grands Prix in 1958 and 1959.

It could have been more, however at two events, including Monaco 1958, she failed to qualify, as did a certain B. C. Ecclestone.

Asked if he envisaged a woman racing in F1 any time soon, he told The Sports Network: "I doubt it. If there was somebody that was capable they wouldn't be taken seriously anyway, so they would never have a car that is capable of competing.

"There was a girl that was driving in GP3 for a whole season," he added, referring to Alice Powell in 2012, "so it is not something that hasn't happened."

Asked if it would happen "in the main event", however, he replied: "No, I don't think so."

Unfortunately, Ecclestone, who is known to be the driving force behind (Lotus development driver) Carmen Jorda's efforts to make it in the sport, made his comment at a time Susie Wolff is launching her "Dare to be Different" initiative, which is aimed as assisting women in motorsport.

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Trixi, 18/01/2016 0:35

"It's not like we would have a cry baby like Danica Patrick in Formula 1! She would someone who would be groomed from the start and know what she is doing. She would also know not to listen to the likes of Bernie!"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by A41202813GMAIL, 16/01/2016 10:43

"DP INTO F1, NOW !
"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by Ro, 15/01/2016 13:30

"Paul C : Bernie had a seating problem....he couldnt reach the pedals !"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by Paul C, 15/01/2016 3:26

"Bernie is against women in F1 because Teresa de Filippis was faster than Bernie in that Monaco race."

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by Tweek, 15/01/2016 3:03

"Don't not mind grandpa, he gets a little sexist when he hasent eaten. Can someone get Bernie a Snickers bar please before he announces another women's specific race series or a track on the moon. "

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

6. Posted by gturner38, 15/01/2016 0:03

"Did people take Michele Mouton seriously? How about Jutte Kleinschmidt? When the right woman is in the car, there is no doubt the teams will take them seriously even if some of the fans will be Neaderthals."

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

7. Posted by Ro, 14/01/2016 22:07

"Wouldnt it be embarrasing for our mate Bernie if a woman driver was faster than some of her competitors? You cant make such a statement if you dont allow them to drive. I am a chauv1nist pig, as my wife will confirm, but I would like to see what a woman driver would do in a competitive car. Bernie, your time is up, retire, soon !"

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

8. Posted by edllorca, 14/01/2016 21:32

"She would be taken seriously if she has the speed to deserve being taken seriously. I doubt any team would turn away a good driver just based on gender ( as long that she brings the requisit sponsorship monies like any other driver)"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

9. Posted by F One, 14/01/2016 20:10

"Bernie's the one who should be not taken seriously. Infact why is he still here making such absurd sexist statements?"

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

Ecclestone: Woman F1 driver wouldn't be taken seriously

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page