Bernie Ecclestone has suggested Formula 1 create an all-women world championship, similar to how other sports such as football, golf and tennis operate.
Ecclestone is keen to see women racing in F1 as he believes it would boost the sports popularity, but he is yet to find a female driver capable of doing so.
His proposal, which he has shared with the teams, could see a separate race taking place before the main event on Sunday, or even on the Saturday to boost interest.
“I thought it would be a good idea to give them a showcase,” he told the Guardian. “For some reason, women are not coming through – and not because we don’t want them. Of course we do, because they would attract a lot of attention and publicity and probably a lot of sponsors.
“We have to start somewhere so I suggested to the teams that we have a separate championship and maybe that way, we will be able to bring someone through to F1. They could race before the main event, or perhaps on the Saturday qualifying day so that they had their own interest.
“It is only a thought at the moment but I think it would be super for F1 and the whole grand prix weekend.”
Currently only Williams development driver Susie Wolff has experience in F1, but Lotus has recently signed Carmen Jordá to its development roster whilst Sauber briefly gave Simona de Silvestro a test in 2014.
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