Women drivers

[VectraMan]

In F1 the weight of car plus driver is fixed, and from this year the amount of fuel is limited, so a lighter driver results in neither a lighter car overall or the ability to put in more fuel.

There is still an advantage due to ballast, and this year the taller drivers have struggled to not be over the minimum weight which is an issue. They look likely to raise the minimum next year.

Strength and stamina could be a factor, but Susie Wolff did pretty long runs at Silverstone last year. Probably nobody will know until a woman does get to race in F1 again and prove everyone wrong.

But it'll take someone to come along with real talent. The sad truth is Sauber would take my Mum as test driver if she paid enough money.

[d000hg]

women are generally lighter than men.
thats a lighter car, or more fuel for same weight car. more options over pit-stops, etc.

stamina over strength - women have the edge, since the cars drive is mechanical or electronic.

reaction speeds - dunno.

overall, an interesting development.
hope she wins!

Physical strength IS still a factor when subjected to 5g lateral loads.

Otherwise the weight issue is a good observation; this year teams are really struggling with weight and larger drivers are having to go on really horrible diet/training regimes. Button for instance who is one of the leanest, fittest drivers, said he needed to lose 5kg (IIRC) and would have to lose muscle as he already had pretty much zero fat.

[edison]

women are generally lighter than men.
thats a lighter car, or more fuel for same weight car. more options over pit-stops, etc.

stamina over strength - women have the edge, since the cars drive is mechanical or electronic.

reaction speeds - dunno.

overall, an interesting development.
hope she wins!

It might happen one day. Look at someone like Danica Patrick who came 3rd in the Indy 500 a few years ago. OK, it's not exactly the same as F1 but she only weighs about 7 stone (45kg), about 18kg less than Sebastian Vettel, that must have an impact?

Plus she's extremely pleasing on the eye

Danica Patrick - Fhm Apr

[evilagent]

women are generally lighter than men.
thats a lighter car, or more fuel for same weight car. more options over pit-stops, etc.

stamina over strength - women have the edge, since the cars drive is mechanical or electronic.

reaction speeds - dunno.

overall, an interesting development.
hope she wins!

[Zippy]

Gosh, you guys are such catds.

It takes me back to when David Essex, the Osmonds and Slade were no 1.

[SteelyDan]

I doubt there is an interior mirror so they can do their makeup whilst they're driving either

Is there a choke cable for the handbag to hang on?

[MicrosoftBob]

Looks like she's used to comfortable shoes

Lesbians!

[Archangel]

Looks like she's used to comfortable shoes

[MicrosoftBob]

Can't see this working. She won't know what the mirrors are for, the helmet will ruin her hair, and they will probably have to redesign the cockpit to fit her hips into the seat.
On the other hand, she won't need to swap her own tyres or work out where the petrol cap is, or even have to park it.
So who knows?

I doubt there is an interior mirror so they can do their makeup whilst they're driving either

[d000hg]

You have to park very neatly in the pit-stops, and indeed if you are in the top 3 and have to park near the podium.

[shaunbhoy]

Can't see this working. She won't know what the mirrors are for, the helmet will ruin her hair, and they will probably have to redesign the cockpit to fit her hips into the seat.
On the other hand, she won't need to swap her own tyres or work out where the petrol cap is, or even have to park it.
So who knows?

[VectraMan]

*Cough*Lotsofmoney*Cough*

[d000hg]

Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website: IndyCar star Simona De Silvestro is targeting a Formula One race seat in 2015 after joining Sauber as an affiliated driver.