Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula One world champion, has said he can one day see a woman driver lining up on the Grand Prix grid again, provided they are given more opportunities in the sport at an early age.

Button, who drives for McLaren, pointed to his own experience of starting driving go-karts when he was just seven-years-old, helping his career. He suggested women need similar opportunities to progress in motor sport.

"It is possible. The big issue is that I don't think women are given the opportunity at an early age. There are a couple of women racing in Nascar, have actually won races," he told the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity on Monday.

"I think it will change over the years, get women in [at] lower levels but it is a very demanding sport. It is specific training and taking time to get race fit. I personally think it's possible."

Button was on a panel with Ron Dennis, chairman of McLaren Group, who appeared more circumspect whether women could make it in F1, saying "that men physically outperform women".

Dennis also took a swipe at those F1 drivers with multiple endorsement deals outside of the sport, believing it compromises their driving.

Dennis said that he believed that the salary offered by McLaren to its drivers should mean they do not need to take on personal endorsements.

Dennis said: "Some people lost sight of what the objective is. When you lost sight of what you are doing, then you lost sight of what it takes to be a world champion."

Outside of his F1 commitments, Buttton has a sponsorship deal with Head & Shoulders.

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