Women shouldn't be "pushed" into motor racing - Visser
Formula 3.5 racer Beitske Visser has urged caution over efforts towards attracting more female participants in motor racing, saying it's vital that women aren't "pushed" into the sport.







Visser, a former Red Bull junior and a race winner in the German ADAC Formel Masters championship, is continuing to pursue a future in Formula 1.
However, while she is certain that a female driver could do well in F1, the Dutch racer insists that the sport shouldn't go overboard in trying to get women racing.
"I think it absolutely is possible for women to do well in F1," Visser told Motorsport.com.
"It is true that at the moment there are more men than women who are doing well in racing, but we also have more boys than girls who give it a try.
"Of course it would be nice if we had more girls on the grid. But it has to be something they want for themselves.
"We have to make sure that these girls aren’t pushed, but that they start racing because they genuinely like to do so."
All-female series could "lower the threshold"
Visser was less critical of the idea of an all-female series than many of her peers, but stressed this should not mean that women would not be able to compete for F1 seats.
"A separate championship might be a good way to lower the threshold for women," she said. "But it still has to be possible for women to reach the ‘real’ Formula 1.
"My goal is to be the best of everyone and, to reach that, I also need to be able to beat the guys.
"There are a lot of people who think that a woman can’t make it in racing, but that’s a prejudice. It would be great if I could be the one who could do away with this prejudice.”
Interview by Erwin Jaeggi

Previous article
Grosjean says overhauled 2017 F1 cars won’t be “sexier”
Next article
Pirelli set to test 2017 F1 tyres with V8-engined car

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Beitske Visser |
Author | Valentin Khorounzhiy |
Women shouldn't be "pushed" into motor racing - Visser
Trending
How Do Drivers Stay Fit For F1 Grand Prix?
Ronnie Peterson and Jochen Rindt Tribute
#ThinkingForward with Juan Pablo Montoya
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his teammate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen's emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber teammate's own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here's how Nick Heidfeld's career was chilled by the Iceman.
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.
How Verstappen's Bahrain mistake can only make him stronger
Max Verstappen lost out to Lewis Hamilton at the Bahrain Grand Prix by a tiny margin, slipping off the track just as victory was within his grasp. But the painful lesson from defeat can only help Verstappen come back even stronger