Caterham's Alice Powell Could Become First Woman Since '76 To Start F1 Race

British F1 driver ALICE POWELL is "hoping to make her debut at a Formula One weekend later this month as she aims to take the wheel for Caterham in Abu Dhabi," according to William Esler of SKY SPORTS. She could become the "first female to start an F1 race" since LELLA LOMBARDI in '76. The 21-year-old from Oxford is a former GP3 driver and was Formula Renault BARC Champion in '10 and she "could make her F1 debut with Caterham next week." The Leafield team is currently in administration and Powell’s grandfather, JIM FRASER, wrote to Smith and Williamson offering to pay a reported £35,000 ($55,226) if they let her drive in Practice One. Powell: "My grandfather, who has helped me throughout my racing career, has decided he is going to help put some money towards Caterham if they allow me to test in Practice One. As long as I get to test in Practice One I have some other investors who are willing to invest in the team and it would be a fantastic opportunity" (SKY SPORTS, 11/12).