The ridiculousness of female F1 drivers

Did that title shock you? A female F1-fan who is against female F1-drivers? No way! 

 

Let's be clear: I'm not against female racers. I think it is a great thing and there should be a lot more showing the world that racing isn't an all men sport (anymore). But what has happened now is that female drivers are chosen because of their gender and not their talent. Just look at Carmen Jorda who has just been announced as development driver for the Lotus F1 team. 

I can honestly say I have never heard of her before, what isn't a bad thing but then I started looking for what she had won and how good she was. And where I thought to find an impressive record of achievements, I found nothing. In 2008 she became 21th in F3 with one point to her name while her team mate Germán Sánchez became world champion. Bad year? In Silverstone 2012 she became the first F3 driver not to qualify because she failed to get within the 107%-rule. She ended as 28^th in the championship. Still not impressed? In 2013 she became 30^th with a 17^th place as her best result. But last year she did better. Not much, 29^th place it was. In eight years of different Formula 3 championships, she hasn’t won any race or pole position. So if you just look at her results, there is no reason whatsoever why she got the place of development driver. None.

But there is one. Only one. She's a woman. And teams are doing what they can to show the world they are supporting female drivers. So they sign them, even if they are no good. Jorda is no contribution to the team. I honestly think Lotus is better off without her. But now they can use her in promotional activities. And that is the main reason why they want Jorda, who is more seen on red carpet events and in front of the camera than on circuit.

Even though you probably think I would defend female drivers, I actually feel sorry for her male rivals. Jorda, who finished 28th is now part of a F1 team, the male rivals who beat her race after race are still in F3 or if they are very lucky GP2. Gender equality? Let’s be clear: F1 doesn't need women. But it doesn't need men either. It needs racers. People who have an extraordinary talent and are there because they have every right to be there. It doesn't matter if they are male or female but it matters whether they are good or not. And Carmen Jorda is just not good enough for F1.

Catya Leroux