No reason why women can't race in Formula One

(Lotus F1 Team)

McLaren-Honda’s Jenson Button sees no reason why a female driver can’t compete against their male counterparts in Formula One.

The 2009 world champion’s comments come in the wake of Formula One Supremo Bernie Ecclestone’s suggestion of introducing an all-female Formula One series that would run alongside the existing championship as a support series.

If the likes of Formula E, NASCAR, IndyCar and GP3 can all have female drivers competing on the same grid as their male counterparts, there is absolutely no reason why Formula One (the pinnacle of motorsport) can’t follow suit. Button went on to say that today’s cars are no longer as physically demanding to drive.

Button, who competes in triathlons outside of Formula One went on to say that he can’t complete a marathon but that is something that Paula Radcliffe can so if he can drive a Formula One car than women can too.

Williams Martini Racing Team test driver Susie Wolff has already proven that she has what it takes to compete in Formula One having driven for the team in Free Practice as well as during winter testing in February.

While Wolff is against an all-female Formula One series on the grounds that throughout her career in motorsport she has competed against men, Lotus F1 Team development driver Carmen Jorda believes it is a good idea if it gives female drivers the opportunity to race in Formula One. The Spaniard is scheduled to test for the Lotus F1 Team later this season. 

© Ben Johnston 2015