Natacha Gachnang has moved a step closer to becoming that rare breed in motorsports - a female Formula One driver. The 21-year-old has signed up to compete in next season's Formula Two championship which returns after a 25-year absence, and with the prize for the winner of a test drive with Williams. Swiss driver Gachnang, cousin of Sebastien Buemi who appears poised to drive for Toro Rosso next season, finished third in this year's Spanish F3 Championship.
Gachnang also competed in the American Star Mazda Series in 2007 in which she recorded a string of top 10 finishes, proving she could take on and beat her experienced male counterparts. "To be honest, I try not to think about being a woman in a male-dominated sport," said Gachnang. "At times it has probably helped me, but I think it has also been hard to get people to really believe in me as a driver, especially as I climb the motorsport ladder. But being in Formula Two next season will take me that much closer to achieving my dream of getting into Formula One."
In F1 history, just five drivers have been female - Giovanna Amati, Maria Teresa de Filippis, Divina Galica, Lella Lombardi and Desiré Wilson. Meanwhile, Ferrari have agreed a sponsorship deal with Indian carmaker Tata for next season. * With agencies