Spanish racing driver Carmen Jorda has been criticised for suggesting there is a "physical issue" for women wishing to race in Formula One.
She also suggested they should instead turn their attention to easier series such as Formula E.
After testing a Formula E car – a lighter and electric-powered alternative to their heavier, faster Formula One counterparts - the 29-year-old Jorda was asked last week by reporters if the car was easier to drive.
"It's a less physical car than in Formula One because of the downforce and because of the power steering as well.” the Spaniard said.
"The challenge that we women have in Formula Two and Formula One is a physical issue and I think in Formula E, we won't have it.
"It's not for me to decide what's good for women or not in the sport. But in my experience I can say Formula One - not all the other championships, karting, Formula Three, GT I think women are capable of good results in all those series - in Formula One and Formula Two there is a barrier that is a physical issue.
"I think there is a big issue for women and that's why there aren't any in those championships."
Carmen Jorda's controversial comments came after the Former Lotus and Renault F1 development driver tried a Formula E car. Source: Getty
Backlash
Jorda's comments have been heavily criticised by a number of prominent women in motorsport, including IndyCar driver Pippa Mann, three-time Le Mans-winning engineer Leena Gade and GP3 driver Tatiana Calderon.
"My eyes rolled so far back in my head I nearly passed out," Mann, a regular competitor in the Indianapolis 500, said on Twitter.
"She does know that the reason IndyCar drivers are bulkier than F1 drivers is that we have to lift bigger weights because our races have no power steering at all, and that women succeed over here right?"
Meanwhile Calderon told Crash.net: "I think [the comments have] united us a little bit more, actually.
"I don't personally know Carmen much. All I know is that I believe we can compete at the highest level, not only as drivers but as engineers and mechanics.
"I want to support as many women as I can to make sure that they have the opportunity that I had to find a passion in motorsport."
Formula One driver Jenson Button also weighed in, saying Jorda was "not helping” female drivers with her comments.
Jorda, who also sits on the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA)’s women's commission, is yet to publicly respond to the backlash.
She has previously voiced support for an all-female world championship and has repeatedly said she does not believe women can compete equally with men.
Formula One has not had a female-identifying contestant for more than 40 years, when Italian Lella Lombardi started at the Austrian Grand Prix in 1976.
