Formula 1 Still Waiting for Next Woman to Conquer the Road to the F1 Grid
As Indianapolis 500 veteran Simona de Silvestro can attest, talent will only get a woman so far in Formula 1.
By Joe Saward Fairfax Media ArchivesGetty Images
This week, Beth Paretta announced an Indianapolis 500 effort with driver Simona de Silvestro, leaving some to wonder, when will a woman return to the Formula 1 grid ?
Lella Lombardi, pictured above, is the last woman to race in Formula 1, and her last race in the series came in 1976.
Efforts including the W Series and the now 10-year-old FIA Women & Motor Sport Commission breeds hope that a woman will soon be back on the F1 grid.
Varied Experience Prepares De Silvestro for New Chance with Paretta Autosport
By Curt Cavin | Published: Jan 21, 2021
Simona De Silvestro might have been out of sight from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since her most recent series race in 2015, but she wasn’t out of view of influential people.
Beginning with a pair of one-off rides in the prestigious Bathurst 1000 in Australia, de Silvestro spent more than four years fighting for her share in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship. She became the sport’s first full-time female driver in 2017, scoring three top-10 finishes and finishing as high as 19
th in the standings for one of the lesser-competitive teams.
INDIANAPOLIS — Beth Paretta has a vision for her new IndyCar team. She wants to send the first female driver to victory lane at the Indianapolis 500 with the support of a predominantly female cast. And then Paretta hopes to turn it into a full-time pipeline for women in racing.
By INDYCAR | Published: Jan 19, 2021
Paretta Autosport, a new NTT INDYCAR SERIES race team spearheaded by female automotive and motorsport executive Beth Paretta, has announced its entry for the 105th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
2010 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Simona De Silvestro has been announced as the driver for Paretta Autosport, which will utilize Chevrolet power and run the No. 16 for this year’s legendary “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The 32-year-old from Switzerland is a veteran of five Indianapolis 500 starts.
The team is an extension of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s “Race for Equality & Change” announced last July. Team Penske will provide technical support to Paretta Autosport in assisting in the preparation for competing in the race Sunday, May 30.
By Reuters - 20 January 2021 There are plans to have an all-women outfit eventually running full-time in the IndyCar Series. Image: GETTY IMAGES/ JONATHAN FERREY
Women are poised to return to the Indianapolis 500 starting grid this year with a female-led ownership group and driver that could herald a new era in IndyCar racing, Indianapolis Motor Speedway said on Tuesday.
Paretta Autosport will be spearheaded by automotive and motorsport executive Beth Paretta with 2010 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Simona De Silvestro back in the cockpit for what is billed as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.
The goal is far bigger than a one-off, with plans to have an all-women outfit eventually running full-time in the IndyCar Series.