Danica Patrick has leapt back into the motor racing headlines by becoming the first woman to secure pole for the 2013 Nascar opener at Daytona.<\/p>\n
Previously, the highly popular 30-year-old American, who is stealing the show at the pinnacle of US motor sport, has insisted she has little interest in exploring her options in formula one.<\/p>\n
But could more doors open now?<\/p>\n
“For ten years,” said triple world champion and Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda, “I’ve told Bernie Ecclestone he’s dopey for not getting a woman into formula one.<\/p>\n
“If we could get a woman into the top six, you would immediately have twice as many fans in front of the TV,” he is quoted by Bild newspaper.<\/p>\n
Lauda, however, questioned whether Patrick is the right woman for the job.<\/p>\n
“It has to be said that the technical level in the US does not compare to the level in formula one.\u00a0 This is also reflected in the drivers,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The last American who had success in Europe was Mario Andretti — and that was in my day!” exclaimed the 63-year-old.<\/p>\n
Dr Helmut Marko, the outspoken driver manager at world champions Red Bull, also questioned Patrick’s credentials.<\/p>\n
“You have to look at Danica’s results in the road races,” he said.\u00a0 “It’s not enough.”<\/p>\n
Indeed, there are no female drivers among Red Bull’s current flock of young development drivers, whose ultimate aim is to earn a place at the junior team Toro Rosso.<\/p>\n
“We are looking for drivers based on performance, not by quota,” Marko insisted.”<\/p>\n
World champion Sebastian Vettel added: “First of all, hats off to Danica for her achievements.\u00a0 But motor sport in the US just has a completely different culture.”<\/p>\n
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