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The tycoon wanted to squeeze a female driver into the cockpit of his newlyformed Virgin Racing team for next season. Branson and his backroom boys combed the planet for a luscious Virgin racer to tackle the likes of champ Jenson Button in a 220mph 19-race showdown. America’s knockout queen of speed Danica Patrick, an IndyCar winner and regular front-runner, topped his targets – but she opted to stay in the USA. Team boss Alex Tai said: “There isn’t really a female out there right now who could do it. “This is a really physical and exhausting sport and they would find it hard to cope.” Billionaire Branson argued: “I would have loved to have had a looker like Danica drive. “She is not only good and quick, she’s a stunner. “I believe there is room for women drivers in F1.”

The tycoon wanted to squeeze a female driver into the cockpit of his newlyformed Virgin Racing team

for next season.

Branson and his backroom boys combed the planet for a luscious Virgin racer to tackle the likes of champ Jenson Button in a 220mph 19-race showdown.

America’s knockout queen of speed Danica Patrick, an IndyCar winner and regular front-runner, topped his targets – but she opted to stay in the USA.

Team boss Alex Tai said: “There isn’t really a female out there right now who could do it.

“This is a really physical and exhausting sport and they would find it hard to cope.”

Billionaire Branson argued: “I would have loved to have had a looker like Danica drive.

“She is not only good and quick, she’s a stunner.

“I believe there is room for women drivers in F1.”