Powell wonders how an all-female Formula One series would be funded

(Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Team)

British racing driver Alice Powell has backed Bernie Ecclestone’s idea of an all-female Formula One series if it means that she would be able to race in a Formula One car.

The 22 year old who has driven in the GP3 championship was within a whisker of making her Formula One debut with the Caterham F1 Team at the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last season however she was not able to raise the money on time to race for the team.

However Powell has stated that throughout her career in motorsport she has competed with her male counterparts where they compete on an even footing and she would be happy to do that in Formula One.

Powell is uncertain how an all-female F1 series would be funded due to the fact that finance and sponsorship in motorsport is extremely difficult at present. The Williams Martini Racing Team have Susie Wolff as their official test driver while the Lotus F1 Team have just signed Spaniard Carmen Jorda as their new development driver.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 Midweek Report motor racing engineer Mark Hutcheson said that he believes that if you are good enough and have the budget it doesn’t matter if the driver is male or female.

Susie Wolff will drive for the Williams Martini Racing Team in her role as test driver over the course of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend along with a number of practice sessions during the season. 

© Ben Johnston 2015