Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has praised Lotus development driver Carmen Jorda for her work with the team and her push to make it as a female racer in the sport.
Jorda joined the British team in a development role back in February following three years in GP3, where her highest finish was P13 at Valencia in 2012. She has also raced in Indy Lights and a number of national junior categories in Spain.
A lack of success in her racing career to date has left Jorda susceptible to criticism from many within motorsport, including 1982 FIA World Rally Championship runner-up Michele Mouton.
“Other less successful girls have managed to climb the motorsport ladder, but that has more to do with marketing strategies and political reasons, and I am not interested in that,” Mouton said when asked about Jorda.
However, Ecclestone has come to the defence of Jorda, praising her in a recent interview with motorsport.com.
“She is very good,” Ecclestone said. “We asked Lotus to see and she has done a good job for them.
“She wants to be in F1. We have to try to find the right way, but she is not alone. There are plenty of other people.
“I saw the American girl, Danica [Patrick], and I said we would be able to do something for [Simona] de Silvestro, but they don’t want to come to Europe. They want to stay in America.
“So you have to get the person who has enough talent and wants to do it, and is prepared to give up what it takes.”
De Silvestro’s hopes of becoming the first female driver to race in F1 in over 40 years fell short following a period as an affiliated driver with Sauber.
However, she remains a part of the Andretti Autosport family, taking part in a couple of IndyCar races earlier this year and racing for the team’s Formula E squad last year.
