History has really shown how some points of view change as the human species evolves. There were many problems in the past with the acceptance of women (and races of people) into various establishments, and according to legendary Formula One driver, Sir Stirling Moss, they are still not cut for succeeding in the series, because they “lack the aptitude” needed for motorsport.
The statement came during a BBC interview, according to Autosport. Moss tried to explain his point of view:”We’ve got some very strong and robust ladies, but, when your life is at risk, I think the strain of that in a competitive situation will tell when you’re trying to win,” he said, adding that the associated “mental stress” would be “pretty difficult for a lady to deal with in a practical fashion.”
We say it’s attitudes like this that actually keep women from succeeding in motorsport in general, and F1 in particular – they are somewhat held back, though not in an obvious fashion, of course. It’s not the lack of skill, or the inability to handle a lot of stress. The problem is generalization, excessive use of stereotypes and prejudice, as well as an obsolete way of thinking.
We are quite disappointed upon hearing this, and thought that a legendary driver like Moss would know better than to throw this 1950s-style thinking upon us, especially since not that long ago, Maria LaVillota lost her eye in a horrific accident that she got into while testing the Marussia F1 car at the Duxford Aerodrome, in the UK.
In the end, everybody chooses to believe what they feel is closest to the truth, however, in this case, it is more of a falsely induced idea, rather than an accurate fact of modern-day life.
By Andrei Nedelea
PHOTO GALLERY
