It was a typical off-the-cuff remark from Bernie Ecclestone, but one aired in all seriousness rather than with dead-pan sarcasm, although as is often the case with the 84-year-old it has sparked feverish discussion.
The off-the-record comment in question came after a 55-minute roundtable debate with a select group of media relating to the latest state of Formula One - its rights and wrongs, should we do this or that?
The overseas press had departed and Ecclestone was holding court with a handful of Her Majesty's 'Fifth Estate' when he suddenly announced the idea of an all-female championship.
It would run over the course of numerous grand prix weekends, serving as an added draw to F1, effectively the highlight on the undercard.
For once, it was a suggestion from the sport's supremo that did not sound too outlandish or extreme, again as has occurred in the past.
After all, there are at present a number of very talented women in motorsport, many eager to progress further up the ladder in a bid to stake their claim at the pinnacle.
In many people's eyes Danica Patrick leads the way, rated as the most successful woman in open-wheel racing given her impressive record in IndyCar, and most recently, NASCAR.
Then there is Britain's own Susie Wolff, who by her own admission has suggested a full-time F1 race seat is perhaps a step too far, but who has done a sterling job as Williams test driver of late.
Other names that spring to mind include Simona de Silvestro, who last year was on Sauber's books as an affiliated driver, only for her ties with the team to be severed due to apparent contractual issues.
There is an up-and-coming British racer by the name of Alice Powell who has previously competed in Formula 3 and the GP3 series, the latter being one of the tiers to F1.
Most recently 26-year-old Spaniard Carmen Jorda was taken on by Lotus as a development driver, although it is not unkind to suggest she is perhaps better known for her looks than her talent.
But they are just a sprinkling of names in the frame, with numerous others in the wings competing in minor series across the world just waiting for an opportunity to perform on a bigger stage.
A women's world championship would certainly provide a platform, even if far from an ideal one given the determination within their number to compete with men on an equal footing.
Wolff, for one, insisted Ecclestone's idea is "most definitely not the right way forward".
The Scot does not feel the 84-year-old's plan would benefit women's motorsport on the whole.
"First of all, I don't know where you'd find a full grid of female drivers who are good enough," remarked Wolff.
"Secondly, I have raced my whole career in motorsport as a normal competitor. Why would I ever look for a race where I was only competing against women?
"I can say hand on heart it would not interest me at all to win such a race.
"I would rather not be in the race because what am I winning? A race where they've just looked for any girl to make up a grid."
Former frontline rally driver Michele Mouton, now head of the FIA's commission for women in motorsport, did not totally dismiss the idea, although feels proper debate and research is required.
Like Wolff, however, Mouton feels such a championship could likely be a backward step to the aims of equality given the willingness by the rare few to fight for such a right with their male counterparts.
Certainly there are some people who feels Ecclestone's idea is laughable, not even worth discussing, and then there are those who believe there is scope.
Whatever side of the fence observers may sit, we most definitely have not heard the last of this one.
Source: PA-WIRE
