Coulthard’s plea to close F1 gender gap

DAVID COULTHARD has cited his late sister Lynsay as an inspiration to the 18 drivers who start out in the new all-female W Series today. Lynsay died in 2013 aged 35, leaving behind a baby daughter. Known to the family as ‘Super Chick’, Lynsay was a successful karter as a girl and, according to Coulthard (right), a more gifted driver than him. ‘She was just naturally quick — quicker than me,’ said the 13-time Grand Prix winner ahead of the inaugural W Series race at Hockenheim. ‘My older brother, Duncan, was the daredevil who had speed and bravery, Lynsay had the pace and I had the application. ‘I was racing cars by the time I got a call from Sir Jackie Stewart and my career took off. Lynsay was six years younger and still karting, so the focus turned to me. ‘Her racing drifted away. I wouldn’t say I feel guilty, as there was nothing I could do about it, but it was a shame. Her speed showed women can perform as well as men. Motorsport is about hand-eye co-ordination rather than strength as in, say, tennis.’ Lynsay died in her sleep at home in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, from an overdose of prescription drugs, having complained of stomach pains the night before. She ran the David Coulthard Museum and he dedicated his 2001 Brazilian Grand Prix win to her. W Series was criticised for ghettoising women racers, but Coulthard said: ‘The existing system hasn’t worked. We need a platform for women to showcase what they can do and if the best one gets to F1, then great.’ That is the series’ ultimate ambition. No woman has started a Formula 1 race since Lella Lombardi 43 years ago. The 18 W Series drivers, including five Brits, will race over six rounds. The series ends on August 11 at Brands Hatch, with the winner taking home £500,000. W Series, Hockenheim. TV: LIVE on Channel 4, 2.45pm.