MANUFACTURERS

To know more about what has been the role of women in motorsport, we sent this questionnaire to the members for the Manufacturers Commission:
1 - What is your position on women and motorsport ? Whats your perception ? 2 - What do you think about on their ability as a pilot ?

3 - Performance ?
4 - Do the Manufacturers trust them for positions as engineers, team managers,etc ?

MANUFACTURERS
Based on the answers, we reached the following conclusions:
There are no differences between women and men in motorsports, as well as in the automotive industry in general. There are no differences between women and men as pilots. Since there is no separate category for women in motorsports, they have to compete with men and need to prove themselves. Concerning the performance, there are no differences between women and men. Women have to compete directly against men what is not given in any other kind of sports. In relation to the Manufacturers trust the women for position of engineers, managers, etc, we think there are no differences between women and men. Unfortunately, the situation in motorsports is that considerably more men as women have interest in motorsports. Therefore, more men than women lend themselves to work in motorsports. Furthermore, less women than men start a direct carreer in motorsports.

MANUFACTURERS
Comments from:
MC LAREN : Mark Williams
McLaren employ and have employed many female engineers/technicians within our F1 and GT, office and race operations. They are all very capable individuals and have high responsibilities in various programs. Many of them interact directly with trackside activities and some are active trackside on a regular basis. McLaren operates as a meritocracy, anyone holding a particular position does so because they are the best we can field. Personally, I would like to see the numbers increase as I believe they offer a valuable alternative perspective in what is a male dominated industry. Regarding female drivers I have only worked with two. They were absolutely committed and I admired their pluck. The difficulty they face is finding the necessary backing to go all the way in the sport.

MANUFACTURERS
Comments from:
Volkswagen Group ((Audi, Porsche, Skoda, SEAT, VW)
Volkswagen is an equal opportunity employer. Volkswagen is interested in increasing the share of women in their staff including motorsports and supports this effort with various actions on the way to become a top-employer. Women are just as capable as men to be successful as examples of very successful women in motorsports have already shown. The Volkswagen Group has and is working together successfully with female drivers at various brands and will continue to do so in the future. Appendix: Champions of the past:Michelle Mouton/ Fabrizia Pons (Audi), Jutta Kleinschmidt/ Fabrizia Pons (VW); Present: Rahel Frey (Audi) Volkswagen employs many successful female engineers and managers in different positions and is planning to increase their share in the future with initiatives such as the Woman DrivING Award or special mentoring programs.

MANUFACTURERS
Comments from:
Chevrolet As a general rule within GM we are not allowed any discrimination when selecting a candidate, neither on the race, nor religion, physical appearance or gender. Our duty is always to select the best candidate for any given position within the company. As such, we would always consider a woman but would never select her because of her gender.