Danica Patrick ’not interested’ in F1 switch

Danica Patrick has played down suggestions she might switch to formula one.

Speculation the 30-year-old American could have a future on the grand prix grid was kindled by her high-profile pole position for Nascar’s premier Sprint Cup opener at Daytona.

Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko was quoted by Bild newspaper as saying while Patrick is not "on the top ten" of his list of promising F1-worthy candidates for the future, he would offer her a test.

According to Austria’s Kleine Zeitung newspaper, Patrick described Marko’s offer as "nice" but insisted: "I do not need to be in formula one to have a full life."

She said she has "never been really interested" in exploring any F1 options.

"It is speculation in the media," she added, "but it has never been seriously discussed."

That is despite Williams test driver Susie Wolff admitting recently that Bernie Ecclestone is "massively pushing" for a female driver to be on the F1 grid.

"At some point I think in the future we will definitely see it happen," she said last week.