Obviously, she didn't become a F1 driver and we were wrong about the world becoming truly equal in our lifetime. It was only in 2009 that the FIA set up the Women in Motorsport Commission, with the aim of creating a sports culture which facilitates and values the full participation of women in all aspects of Motorsport. F1 remains a very male dominated environment, despite it being a sport that many, many women are interested in. Sport, in general, has a long way to go to allow women to compete on equal terms but F1, struggles to appreciate women as anything other than decoration.
I often wonder if the girl who lived opposite me in Halls, who was a Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate, fulfilled her dream of being a F1 engineer. I'd like to think that she did, she was certainly passionate about it. Adrian Newey, of Red Bull, was interviewed recently and said that of his 140 engineers he had 2 females in aerodynamics, 1 in vehicle dynamics, 1 in stress and 2 in general design, making 6 out of 140, about 4%. He said, "It's a small percentage but it's not too bad."
This morning I am watching Sky's broadcast of the Chinese Grand Prix and was stunned at the presenters interviewing of fans. The three, blokey back-slapping chaps found some English students, who were in China on a school visit and had decided to go to see the race. One of the girls was the most eloquent and really knew her stuff but she was cut off in the middle of saying something quite interesting about Hamilton and the microphone was pushed into the face of one of the teenage boys who was asked what he thought. He could barely manage a grunt, so they tried a few more of the boys. The girl tried to say something again but the presenter pointed the microphone at the male teacher and said, "So, was this your idea?"
"No, it was Miss'," he said.
The presenter chuckled and made some quip about the Misses but 'Miss' was not happy. Clearly, she was the F1 fan, she knew who she supported and who she thought should win and was again cut off.
Every time F1 is on the BBC, my daughter and I have 'The Suzi Perry argument'. I think it's good to have a woman, who is actually seen. She thinks that Ms Perry is terrible, simpering, tottering around the pit lane in high heels and asking drivers questions about their physique. She thinks that Lee McKenzie would have been a better choice for the BBC to make, as she asks sensible questions and doesn't flirt. I argue that people know Suzi Perry, who has lots of experience reporting motorsport and is a real motorcycle nut (her favourite toy as a child was an 'Evil Knievial stunt cycle'). She says that if women are going to be taken seriously then the best have to be chosen. I think that we should be kinder about the women who are chosen and rejoice in the fact that they are there, rather than think they shouldn't be seen unless they are perfect.
However, it would be nice if we were allowed to see the women who are already doing a great job. In yesterday's qualifying broadcast, Rachel Brooks, was doing a brilliant job of interviewing drivers and engineers but was never once seen on screen. Maybe she wasn't wearing tight leather trousers, a short skirt or impossibly high heels.
I often wonder if the girl who lived opposite me in Halls, who was a Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate, fulfilled her dream of being a F1 engineer. I'd like to think that she did, she was certainly passionate about it. Adrian Newey, of Red Bull, was interviewed recently and said that of his 140 engineers he had 2 females in aerodynamics, 1 in vehicle dynamics, 1 in stress and 2 in general design, making 6 out of 140, about 4%. He said, "It's a small percentage but it's not too bad."
This morning I am watching Sky's broadcast of the Chinese Grand Prix and was stunned at the presenters interviewing of fans. The three, blokey back-slapping chaps found some English students, who were in China on a school visit and had decided to go to see the race. One of the girls was the most eloquent and really knew her stuff but she was cut off in the middle of saying something quite interesting about Hamilton and the microphone was pushed into the face of one of the teenage boys who was asked what he thought. He could barely manage a grunt, so they tried a few more of the boys. The girl tried to say something again but the presenter pointed the microphone at the male teacher and said, "So, was this your idea?"
"No, it was Miss'," he said.
The presenter chuckled and made some quip about the Misses but 'Miss' was not happy. Clearly, she was the F1 fan, she knew who she supported and who she thought should win and was again cut off.
Every time F1 is on the BBC, my daughter and I have 'The Suzi Perry argument'. I think it's good to have a woman, who is actually seen. She thinks that Ms Perry is terrible, simpering, tottering around the pit lane in high heels and asking drivers questions about their physique. She thinks that Lee McKenzie would have been a better choice for the BBC to make, as she asks sensible questions and doesn't flirt. I argue that people know Suzi Perry, who has lots of experience reporting motorsport and is a real motorcycle nut (her favourite toy as a child was an 'Evil Knievial stunt cycle'). She says that if women are going to be taken seriously then the best have to be chosen. I think that we should be kinder about the women who are chosen and rejoice in the fact that they are there, rather than think they shouldn't be seen unless they are perfect.
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