Carlin signs Ihara

Carlin Motorsport has announced that it has signed former model Keiko Ihara for the British Formula 3 championship this year - in a move that will see her follow in the footsteps of compatriot Takuma Sato

By:

autosport.com staff

Feb 7, 2005, 12:46 PM

Ihara, who is being backed by Ivy Cosmetics, has previously competed in the French F3 Championship (2001), the Formula BMW Asia Series (2003) and Formula Dream in Japan (2004)

"It is not easy for a woman to get to the top in formula racing and sometimes it is difficult to be taken seriously," said Ihara. "Ivy have given me a great opportunity by backing me for the Carlin drive and I am determined to reward their support with results on the track."

Team boss Trevor Carlin said: "We like breaking new ground and one day there will be a successful female driver in F1. Keiko is joining us to train herself for the higher formula, following in the footsteps of BAR driver Takuma Sato, who won the British F3 Championship for us in 2001."