Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel has criticised Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali for saying it is “very unlikely” a woman will be on the grid within five years. He stated that the Italian boss used “a very unlucky choice of words.”
Domenicali had used the phrase “realistically speaking, unless there is something like a meteorite” when discussing the issue.
But four-time world champion Vettel, who is retiring at the end of this season, said Domenicali’s comments sent out the wrong message for females trying to make it to the top of motorsport saying “The challenges we face can be faced by women. I don’t see a reason why we can’t have a woman on the grid.”
Domenicali was not saying he believed a woman could never race in F1, but rather that there were barriers to female drivers at the moment.
He said it was “crucial to give the maximum possibility for women to come to F1 – we are totally dedicated to that”, adding: “We are working on that to see what we can do to improve the system. And you will see soon some action.”