04/04/2013
NEWS STORY
As Bernie Ecclestone laments the lack of a female driver in Formula One, Red Bull introduces an 18-year-old Dutch girl to its Junior Team, the first ever woman to join the Austrian squad.
While there are no surprises in terms of Antonio Felix da Costa, Daniil Kvyat, Carlos Sainz Jr, Tom Blomqvist or Callan O 'Keeffe, it is the inclusion of 18-year-old Beitske Visser that really catches the eye.
The Dutch youngster, the first ever female to join the Austrian team's squad, will race in the ADAC Formula Masters having scored an impressive two wins on her way to eighth in the championship, her first venture into single seaters since she made the transition from karts.
Ironically, in 2012, Beitske raced in the colours of Lotus however, much like Sebastian Vettel, who came up through the ranks with BMW, Red Bull appears to have stolen a march on its rivals.
With a keen eye for talent and publicity, could Red Bull be on the verge of another coup in the F1 paddock?