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Stefano Domenicali talks about whether we will see a woman in Formula 1 in the next five years. The Formula 1 Chief also gives an update on the 2023 calendar.
Throughout the years in Formula 1, only two women have ever competed in the series. Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first woman to enter Formula 1, completing five races in the 1950s. The only other driver was Lella Lombardi, competing in 12 races in the mid-1970s.
Lombardi is the only female driver in Formula 1 history to score points. She scored half a point for finishing sixth in the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix.
More recently, there has been a bigger push to try and get another woman to compete in Formula 1. There is currently a women-exclusive series called W Series.
Formula 2 recently announced that female driver Tatiana Calderon would drive for Charouz Racing for the remainder of the 2022 season.
Domenicali’s thoughts on when we will see a woman in Formula 1 again
Domenicali has expressed his desire to get another woman in Formula 1 again. The Formula 1 Chief said himself:
“It was crucial to give the maximum possibility for women to come to F1 – we are totally dedicated to that.”
However, the Italian does not believe that we will see a woman compete in Formula 1 in the next five years:
“Realistically speaking, unless there is something like a meteorite, I don’t see a girl coming into Formula 1 in the next five years.”
Formula 1 is pushing hard this year promoting W Series by running its races as Grands Prix this season. The races are also on the same weekend as when Formula 1 is on.
Domenicali said: “We are very happy with the collaboration with Formula W.
“But we believe that to be able to give the chance to girls to be at the same level of competition with the guys, they need to be at the same age when they start to fight on the track at the level of Formula 3 and Formula 2.
“We are working on that to see what we can do to improve the system. And you will see soon some action. We want to build up the right parameters with the right approach for them to start racing against the guys, at the right age, with the right car.”
Update on the 2023 calendar
There has been a lot of talk recently regarding what races will feature on the 2023 calendar. With the possibility of South Africa and China returning to Formula 1 next year, many believe that Spa will be axed from the calendar.
Domenicali himself said that he could not reveal too many details. This is because it is yet to be finalised, but the Italian insists that Spa still has a chance according to Autosport.
“As you can imagine I cannot comment too much on that, because there is respect of discussing and formalising through the World Motor Sport Council with the FIA,” he said. “You never saw something [from] me saying that Belgium will be the last year.
“I would be prudent on that comment, I would say, I would be very prudent. That’s the only thing I would say. It’s true that we are working and discussing with other promoters to see if they’re ready for a full commitment already.
“There has been always a point that we have discussed to find the mix of the races where we’re going to have at least one-third in Europe, one third in the Far East area, and the other one in the Americas and Middle East. So we want to be balanced.
“Of course, we’re talking about a business where investment, the financial contribution, is very important, but we have always said that the traditional races, the races that we know they cannot bring the money that the others are bringing, have a full respect from us.
“So you will see that this will be respected also, not only this year, but also in the future. With Belgium, discussions are still on.”
Domenicali has lots of respect for Spa
The Formula 1 Chief added: “There is a lot of respect for these places. But if you recall, Belgium, there were some periods where it was not in the calendar, and they came back again. The memory sometimes is short. It’s a great place, no doubt about it. And that’s why we are discussing.
“What I can say is that we are in Spa this weekend. So you will see them [the promoters] a lot of times in my office.”
Possibility of a French Grand Prix returning soon
Domenicali has not ruled out on France returning to the calendar in the near future. As Paul Ricard is looking certain to exit the calendar.
The Italian previously mentioned about the possibility of Nice hosting a Grand Prix as a street track.
“We are talking with the French Federation, and with the government, because more and more the future also is related to promoters that see that as investment for the country, for the community.
“So the discussions are very, very open for a great future. And as you know, a possibility not next year but in the future could be also to find a sort of rotational proposition. That could enable everyone to be part of the calendar. Because I think it’s a matter of respect.”
Domenicali admits he wants Germany to return to the calendar
Formula 1 hasn’t held a race in Germany since 2020 at the Nürburgring. It would be increasingly special for a return as Audi and Porsche look to enter the sport in 2026.
However, Domenicali has stressed the importance of the commercial terms being right:
“We really hope that Germany can be back around the table,” he said. “But one thing is to say is we’d like to have the [German] Grand Prix. The other thing is to put on the table the things that are needed to discuss about the Grand Prix.
“So hopefully soon – with something that could happen soon – they will have a different situation to discuss with us.”
Feature Image Credit: Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images