Max Verstappen says he'll be watching Formula E races this season. Photo: AFP
Max Verstappen has assured Formula E he will be watching their races after the electric series donated $430,000 to charity following a bet on the Red Bull driver's fourth successive Formula One title.
Formula E chief executive Jeff Dodds promised in February to pay the sum should Verstappen fail to win the title, a wager made to highlight how predictable he felt Formula One was compared to his series.
After Verstappen did so, but in a far more competitive and thrilling season than predicted, Dodds decided to donate the money anyway.
The cash will be split equally between Red Bull's Wings for Life foundation for spinal cord research and a new fund to provide greater opportunities for women in motorsport.
"What started as a very tongue-in-cheek 'bet' at the start of the season has evolved into a serious commitment to support gender equity within our championship, with the ultimate goal of seeing women competing full-time in Formula E," Dodds said.
Verstappen, who collects his F1 winner's trophy at a gala awards ceremony in Rwanda on Saturday, told Dodds in a video call that it was a "great shout" and "I'll be watching the championship during my time off."
Dodds told Reuters Formula E had commissioned the More Than Equal organisation, co-founded by former F1 racer David Coulthard, to carry out research into the barriers women experience in motorsport.
He said two women had been contracted to drive in Formula E's general rookie test next year, without naming names, which serves as a pathway to Formula E.
"That's where seats can kind of get determined, or drivers get invested in for simulator work through the rest of the season," he said
"So I think the first season we could potentially see a woman go straight into the seat is Season 13, which would be the start of the Gen4 era.
"That would be pretty exciting... we'll continue to create opportunities for women to test the car through this season (11), and through next season," he added. "We'll create more and more opportunities for them."
Formula One has not had a female racer since 1976 but several have competed in Formula E in the past decade, with Switzerland's Simona de Silvestro the only one to have scored points to date.
Dodds said he would not be making any further wagers on Formula One.
"I think that moment's passed. I only like sure things," he said.
"I said to Max, he did create a small squeaky bum moment for me midway through the season but (otherwise) he looked nailed on and I'm glad he delivered on my small wager. But it won't be quite so nailed on next year, I don't think."
Dodds said bets were also off when it came to his series, with New Zealander Mitch Evans winning last weekend's opening race in Brazil for Jaguar from last on the grid.
"Genuinely, no one knows how this season is going to shake out," he said.
- Reuters