Patrick rules out F1 switch

Former IndyCar race winner Danica Patrick says she does “not really have the desire” to race in Formula One.

A household name in America, the 33-year-old has been linked to the sport several times since the start of her racing career.

Patrick was even recently tipped as a potential candidate to join US newcomers Haas, for whom she drives in NASCAR.

But after Team principal Guenther Steiner ruled her out for 2016, it is now Patrick’s turn to take herself out of the F1 equation, though she admits this was her main goal when racing Formula Fords in the UK around the turn of the millenium.

Speaking in a special "Women in F1" edition of CNN's The Circuit, she said: “I'm getting too old to change careers again and again, and I don't really have a desire to do anything different than what I'm doing right now”.

“I'm around my friends and family, and I'm racing internationally, and F1 I don't think would really provide that.

“I lived in England for a few years and F1 was all I thought about doing, but to be honest when I came back home to the States I thought this is where I want to be.

“You can never say never about anything, but at this point in time, I'm happy where I'm at.”

Patrick’s declaration comes at a time when Williams test and development driver Susie Wolff is contemplating her own future in the pinnacle of motor racing.

The Scot became the first woman in 22 years to compete in a Formula One grand prix weekend when she took part in the opening free practice session at Silverstone in 2014, succeeding Giovanna Amati in the history books.

The only other female racer currently involved in the sport in Lotus development driver Carmen Jorda.

Click here for a lighter look at the Belgian Grand Prix, courtesy of F1i special contributor Eric Silbermann.

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