F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Sophia Floersch criticizes Ferrari's female driver plans

German driver Sophia Floersch believes that Ferrari's pledge to promote a female driver to its prestigious Driver Academy for the sake of diversity is wrong.

Scuderia boss Mattia Binotto recently spoke of the House of Maranello's desire to include a female racer among its juniors in the near-term future.

"The Academy [is also looking] for women in the future," said Binotto. "Women should be part of the Ferrari Academy.

"That's something on which we are working right now to make sure that it may happen very soon.

Floersch, who famously survived a horrendous crash in the 2018 Macau Grand Prix and raced in the Formula Regional Championship in 2019, responded on social media to Binotto's rather comments, insisting merit rather than gender should be at the forefront of a team's choice regarding its drivers.

The 19-year-old also referenced former French rally driver Michèle Mouton who won four world championship rounds and finished runner in the series in 1982.

"Is this the spirit of modern people?", the 19-year-old wrote on Twitter.

"As long as we are just marketing stuff in racing nothing will change. We have to show that we are equal. Proof of concept. Like Michele Mouton".

Floersch is nominated this year for a Laureus Award in the 'Comeback of the Year' category, an accolade she earned following her comeback after her Macau pains.

The only woman currently involved in F1 is 2019 W Series champion Jamie Chadwick who enjoys a simulator and development role with Williams.  However, the young Briton has yet to take to the track on-board an F1 car in the real world.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Sebastian Montoya steps up to Formula 2 with Prema

Sebastian Montoya, the 19-year-old son of former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya, is set…

14 hours ago

Sauber finds its ‘Northern Star’ under Binotto’s leadership

When former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto took on the role of Chief Operating Officer…

15 hours ago

Leclerc hails a season ‘without missed opportunities' in 2024

Charles Leclerc concluded the 2024 F1 season with a sense of satisfaction, the Ferrari driver…

16 hours ago

Coulthard sounds alarm over FIA president’s rift with F1 drivers

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has voiced his dismay at FIA president Mohammed Ben…

18 hours ago

The rapid rise and fall of Super Aguri in F1

Super Aguri's application to join Formula 1 became a reality on this day in 2005,…

19 hours ago

Ferrari's 2024 Season: Marked improvement and a fight to the finish

Ferrari roared back into contention in 2024 to deliver their strongest season in years, thanks…

20 hours ago