Female driver de Villota close to 2012 F1 deal
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| Maria de Villota |
(GMM) Female Spanish driver Maria de Villota has hinted she may find out before Christmas if she will have an official role at Lotus in 2012.
The 31-year-old said recently she is close to signing a contract to become third driver for the former Renault team in 2012.
"You cannot assume something before it is assured," she is quoted by Marca sports newspaper, admitting that a F1 contract "would be the perfect Christmas gift".
The last woman to enter the world championship was Italian Giovanna Amati, who failed to qualify for Brabham three times in 1992 before she was replaced by future title winner Damon Hill.
12/01/11 (GMM) Female Spanish driver Maria de Villota has revealed she is close to signing a contract to become third driver for the Renault/Lotus team in 2012.
At an event on Wednesday, the 31-year-old was quoted as saying she expected to put pen to paper "later this year or early next year".
She said the role is to be the "Friday or the replacement driver" at grands prix, acknowledging that her work will be "focused towards 2013", when she hopes to "be on the grid".
"We have all the pieces, all that remains is to fit them together during a day for some simple negotiating points," de Villota is quoted by Europa Press.
She said: "There are many women who can drive well and so it is important to try to open the way for others to see that it is not something so unusual."
De Villota, whose father Emilio de Villota raced in F1 in the 70s and 80s, was a team guest at Interlagos last weekend.
01/29/10 (GMM) As the clock ticks for Campos, the new Spanish team is considering whether signing a female driver could help attract much-needed sponsors.
Reports in the specialist press, including Germany's Auto Motor und Sport and the Swiss newspaper Blick, indicate that the team could be asked to hand back its official entry if it cannot guarantee a full budget for the 2010 season.
It is believed the Campos issue will be discussed by the F1 Commission on Monday.
At the same time, it is rumored in the Italian press that Maria de Villota is being considered as a teammate for Bruno Senna.
The 31-year-old Spaniard, who has competed in world touring cars, DTM and Superleague Formula, is the daughter of former F1 driver Emilio de Villota.
"When time runs out, urgent action is needed," said the Spanish sports daily AS, revealing that di Villota could minimally be offered the role as reserve driver.
Meanwhile, another Spanish sports daily, Marca, claims F2 champion Andy Soucek is in talks with Renault about becoming Robert Kubica's 2010 teammate.
Both Soucek and his chief rival for the seat, the Russian Vitaly Petrov, are well sponsored.