Maria de Villota reserve driver at LRGP in 2012?

Only five women have participated in at least one Formula 1 Grand Prix, and for several years the return of a woman to Formula 1 has been mentioned – Danica Patrick has been cited, but the American is not interested in driving in Formula 1. However, this is the case for Maria de Villota, who notably drove with LRGP at Castellet a few weeks ago.

She revealed in the Spanish press that she was in talks with Lotus Renault for a reserve driver role as early as 2012. She was notably present in Brazil to finalize things.

I’m happy to have gone there (to Brazil). I met with the team to finalize things for 2012, such as having a role with Renault as a reserve driver. They already offered me this opportunity after the test at Paul Ricard. The details have changed since the first proposal, but it was initiated by the team, Maria de Villota told Marca.

The daughter of Emilio de Villota – former F1 driver – also revealed that Bernie Ecclestone encouraged her in her endeavor: «Bernie supports me and he told me in Brazil that he believed in me. He said: “Work hard and believe in yourself.”»

The native of Madrid is nonetheless aware that it will be difficult for her to enter Formula 1 without the support of sponsors, but she loves challenges and will do everything to pursue her dream.

It is very difficult for a woman to reach Formula 1, and obviously, sponsors don’t rush in for a woman. It’s not easy, but that’s also why I love this sport, I love challenges, and it’s what keeps me going. The fact that people believe in you is vital, and Ecclestone and the team (LRGP) believe in me, and I will give it my all.

Maria de Villota also stated that she had other leads but believes that the offer from Lotus Renault is the one that best matches what she is looking for.

« We have other options, but for me the most important thing is to work and accumulate kilometers. And Renault is the team that offers the closest opportunity to that. Next year could be a stepping stone for 2013. Next year I might attend the Grand Prix as a reserve driver, you never know. I am really excited. My role will be to gain experience. And if the team wants me to drive on a Friday, even better, but for now, I mainly want to work to prepare for the future. »

But before making it to Formula 1, she must prepare physically, and she explained in the interview with the Spanish magazine that she was working with a McLaren trainer and regularly training behind the wheel of a kart.

My trainer is one of those from McLaren and he told me not to worry. I trained very hard, lost weight, and worked out with a lot of power. Currently, I’m doing a lot of karting, driving three hours on the Angel Burgueno track. Very long stints because karting is very physical and it’s good for reflexes and hands, explained the former Superleague Formula driver.