Formula One Driver Says Women Do Not Have Mental Aptitude To Compete In Races

Development driver Susie Wolff has criticised comments made by Sir Stirling Moss

A former British Formula One driver has said that women do not have the mental aptitude to compete in the sport.

During a BBC5 Radio 5 Live special, Sir Stirling Moss said he was 'not surprised' there are no women drivers in Formula One.

He said: 'I think they have the strength, but I don't know if they've got the mental aptitude to race hard, wheel-to-wheel.

'The trouble is, when you're racing, it's pretty tiring. We had three-hour races in those days. You needed tremendous concentration. Now races are only one hour and 10 minutes.

'We've got some very strong and robust ladies, but, when your life is at risk, I think the strain of that in a competitive situation will tell when you're trying to win.

'The mental stress I think would be pretty difficult for a lady to deal with in a practical fashion. I just don't think they have aptitude to win a Formula One race', he added.

However, his comments have been criticised by Williams development driver Susie Wolff, who is hoping to become a Formula One driver.

She said: 'I completely disagree with him. It makes me cringe hearing that. I've got a lot of respect for Sir Stirling and what he achieved, but I think we're in a different generation.

'For Moss, it's unbelievable that a female would drive a Formula One car, which is fair enough. In the days they were racing, every time they stepped into a car, they were putting their life on the line. But F1 is much more technologically advanced, it's much safer than it was.'

Currently, only five women have raced in grand prix, with only one scoring a point.

What do you think about Sir Moss's comments? Let us know below.

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