Female drivers would not be taken seriously: Ecclestone

Melbourne: Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed the possibility of female drivers taking part in a grand prix, saying that they "would not be taken seriously" in the sport.

The Formula One supremo, who last year called for a women's series to run in tandem with the main grand prix schedule, in an interview said women shouldn't expect to line up on an F1 grid anytime soon, news.com.au reported.

Speaking to Canadian TV network ‘TSN’, the 85-year-old said that if even 'capable' female racers wouldn't be taken seriously.

Ruling out the possibility of participation of a woman in a main event, he replied that he doesn't think that it would happen.

Ecclestone's comments came on a day when former Williams test driver Susie Wolff launched her 'Dare to be Different' campaign, an initiative designed to boost women's level of participation in motorsport. (Photo: AP)