In the wake of testing a Formula E car at the Mexico ePrix circuit, former Lotus and Renault development driver Carmen Jorda has claimed women should aim for the electric single-seater series over Formula 1.
Jorda has often been criticised due to consistently reaffirming her controversial belief there should be a female F1 world championship, as she claims women cannot compete with men at the same level.
A point of view which is not shared by other female racers around the world who want to prove themselves against the male drivers.
Speaking to the press after her demo run, she said: "It's a less physical car than in Formula One because of the downforce and because of the power steering as well. So yes, for sure. The challenge that we women have in Formula 2 and Formula One is a physical issue and I think in Formula E, we won't have it.
"It's not for me to decide what's good for women or not in the sport. But in my experience I can say Formula One, not all the other championships, karting, Formula 3, GT, I think women are capable of good results in all those series — in Formula One and Formula 2 there is a barrier that is a physical issue.
"I think there is a big issue for women and that's why there aren't any in those championships."
The Spanish driver was controversially appointed onto the FIA's Women in Motorsport Commission in 2017, fuelling some serious debate among other leading female race drivers around the world who believed there were other women better qualified for the role.
Despite three full seasons in GP3, she failed to score a single point and never qualify in the top 20. Despite this, she was still chosen to be placed on the Lotus F1 development program.
"We have to consider Formula E as a very high-level championship, she added.
"You can see all the drivers who are here, the car that I tested is not a super-difficult car to drive, but there are so many different things that you have to learn how to manage. It's a challenging championship.
"It's a high level in motorsport. To have a woman here, Formula E has already had some women here, so why not to have more?"
Discussion about this post