(© Ben Johnston 2015)
Formula One is referred to as the pinnacle of motor racing
introducing new technology with team’s producing extraordinarily fast cars.
However there is one thing where the sport really falls down. When someone thinks of Formula One drivers you think Lewis
Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.
However there are other drivers making their mark on the sport.
Scotland’s Susie Wolff is a Formula One test driver for the Williams
Martini Racing Team having joined the outfit in 2012 as their Development
driver and contrary to reports and talk among some fans of the sport she is NOT
part of the team for marketing purposes. The fact of the matter is that as former
world champions and race winners the Grove based outfit DO NOT need a marketing
tool.
Wolff was promoted to the role of test driver over the
winter replacing Felipe Nasr who joined the Sauber F1 Team as a race driver.
She took part in two Free Practice sessions for the team last season in
Silverstone and Germany.
This year, Wolff drove the FW37 at the opening Barcelona
Winter test. The Scot produced competitive lap times. The FACT of the matter is
that the Williams Martini Racing Team would never have signed Susie if the Sir
Frank or Claire Williams had not believed that she was capable of driving for
the team.
Valtteri Bottas injured his back following qualifying for
the Australian Grand Prix two weeks ago and was potentially set to miss the
Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend as he missed the race in Melbourne however
the team are working hard to ensure that the Finn will be fit for this weekend’s
race.
The team ran just one car in Australia as it was too late to
register a replacement. According to reports this week if Valtteri Bottas was
unable to race this weekend, Williams would call on Pascal Wehrlein to race
alongside Felipe Massa. Now if this is the case it defeats the purpose of
having a test driver who should be the first port of call if a driver is unable
to fulfil their duties.
It also unfortunately devalues someone like Wolff’s
contribution to the team if she is not considered for the role of a race drive.
The Lotus F1 Team also have a female driver as Spaniard
Carmen Jorda was announced as one of their development drivers which is how
Wolff began her Formula One career. Carmen will travel to Grand Prix with the
Enstone outfit and take part in driver briefings and will also help with the
development of the E23 Hybrid.
Female drivers have been involved in the American IndyCar and
the NASCAR racing series with Danica Patrick having raced in the IndyCar Series
and is now competing in NASCAR while Sarah Fisher owns her own team in IndyCar.
Switzerland’s Simona De Silvestro also competed in the American IndyCar Series
before joining the Sauber F1 Team last season as an affiliate driver with the
aim of one day racing in Formula One.
However unfortunately due to financial issues De Silvestro
was forced to leave the team and has returned to the American IndyCar Series
where she will race with the Andretti Autosport IndyCar team.
There are female drivers coming up through the junior
categories. Carmen Jorda for example will run her programme with the Lotus F1
Team alongside her GP3 programme.
It is about time that Formula One team’s woke up to the fact
that female drivers are just as capable of racing in Formula One and being
competitive just as much as their male counterparts. SOME fans also need to
wake up to this fact TOO.
© Ben Johnston 2015
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