Women's Car Insurance
Legge challenges uneven F1 gender split
Wed, 02 Nov 2005
Driver Katherine Legge will attempt to break down Formula One (F1) gender barriers this month when she tests a Minardi in Italy.
Third place competitor in the US Toyota Atlantic Championship, Ms Legge, who is from Guilford, has been given the opportunity to fast track her F1 career.
Her success has raised questions about the future of women drivers in F1 however.
Minardi Team owner, Paul Stoddart, told the Telegraph: "We have always said that if a sufficiently talented woman racing driver arrived on the scene, who appeared capable of handling the performance of an F1 car, we would have no hesitation in giving her an opportunity to show what she could do.
"I believe Katherine has done more than enough to warrant that chance."
Although there is no physical reason why women should lack the strength to cope with the G forces generated through high-speed motor racing, it is a belief widely held especially amongst men.
A lack of women expressing an interest in the sport at a young age has also contributed to the stigma attached to women drivers.
Ms Legge's recent success should encourage those in the UK motor industry to promote women's motor sports as well as related products such as women's car insurance.
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