Nico Rosberg desires to see a transparent pathway emerge for an additional feminine driver to achieve Method 1.
Within the sport’s historical past, 5 girls have competed at F1 race weekends. Solely two of them, Italian duo Maria Teresa de Filippis and Lella Lombardi, began races. Lombardi scored a half level within the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix.
Davina Galica, Need Wilson and, most lately, Giovanna Amati in 1992, all tried and didn’t qualify for races.
Nonetheless, the profile of feminine drivers in numerous motorsport classes is frequently rising – and the presence of the W Sequence, with dwell TV protection on grand prix weekends simply earlier than qualifying, helps drastically in that regard.
Rosberg is actively taking part in a job in serving to to create alternatives for feminine drivers resulting from being a crew principal in Excessive E.
Final 12 months, Rosberg X Racing turned the inaugural champions in that male/feminine driver sequence and with Johan Kristoffersson now partnered by a fellow Swede in Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky, who has taken over from Molly Taylor, the crew are properly on the right track to retain the title.
The 2016 World Champion has been extraordinarily impressed with Ahlin-Kottulinsky, whom he describes as “in my eyes, the most effective feminine racer on the planet in the meanwhile” after the 29-year-old “unceremoniously swept away nine-time rally world champion Sébastien Loeb” on the Excessive E occasion in Sardinia.
Now the previous Williams and Mercedes driver is eager to see extra possibilities for ladies in Method 1.
“We should lastly launch the brakes on equality so feminine racers could make it to the highest class,” Rosberg informed Welt am Sonntag, quoted by Auto Bild.
“We’ve got to advertise girls extra in motorsport, similar to we do in Excessive E – and we’ve to do all of it the best way as much as Method 1.
“For this we’d like monetary but additionally idealistic help. From associations, golf equipment, racing sequence, sponsors, producers and followers, so feminine racers are supported from an early age and handle to draw the eye of financiers and the media.
“However above all, so that they consider in themselves and don’t need to struggle the battle alone. Dad and mom of proficient ladies have to realize it’s value investing of their little one as a result of the trail to the highest is obvious.”
Put to him whether or not “ladies could be as quick as boys”, Rosberg replied: “I see nothing improper with that. In motorsport, similar to in equestrian sports activities or crusing, the alleged bodily superiority of males hardly performs a job.
“We’ve got the race automobile that places the facility to the bottom. The remainder is expertise, expertise, approach and above all psychological energy. Small and petite racers, by the best way, even have a bonus over tall and heavy drivers.
“And because the father of two self-confident daughters, I do know girls have simply as a lot braveness as males, not solely on the race monitor.
“I don’t have a last answer, however one factor I’ve realized in Method 1 is that the place there’s a will, there’s a means and there’s a answer for every thing.
“Let’s lastly give the women an opportunity. The time is ripe.”