Buemi Not Getting Excited about Cousin's F1 Links

Although the world of Formula One might witness the debut of another female driver in the series from as early as next season – and we're not talking about North America's star Danica Patrick – the characters that should be the most excited about the news don't seem to see it happening that soon.

As reported by Spanish newspaper Marca almost a month ago, Natacha Gachnang was eyeing an F1 seat with newly entrants Campos Grand Prix. Although she admitted holding some preliminary talks with team's owner Adrian Campos, her cousin Sebastien Buemi doesn't seem too convinced the 21-year old Swiss will join him on the F1 grid next year.

“It would be very positive for Swiss motor sport, but for the moment, the new teams ... no one has seen anything concrete (from them) yet. We will see who will really be there at the beginning of next season,” Buemi was quoted as saying to the Swiss press, while visiting a Swiss karting circuit earlier this week, as reported by the GMM news agency.

Gachnang made her debut in the inaugural Formula 2 championship this year, a series managed by FIA president Max Mosley that aims to become F1's feeder series in the years to come. Last year, while competing in the Spanish Formula 3, the Swiss driver finished the season on an encouraging 3rd place overall.

It is speculated that a series of tests are to be scheduled by Adrian Campos for Gachnang in the months to come, although no official statement on the matter was issued by either of the two parties.

If she'll manage to land an F1 seat in 2010, however, the 21-year old Swiss will become only the 6th female driver to race in Formula One. The last time a female driver to make the F1 roster was Giovanna Amati in 1992, when driving for Brabham. Unfortunately, she failed to qualify for a race in 3 starts.