Ex-champ: Danica not good enough for F1.

Despite taking her maiden IndyCar Series success in Motegi last weekend, Danica Patrick does not possess the necessary talent to make the move across to Formula 1 - that is the view of former triple world champion Nelson Piquet.

The Brazilian told Spanish newspaper Diario AS he was unconvinced that Patrick - at just 26 widely considered to be the world's top female driver at present - had been sufficiently-well prepared for a career in grand prix racing by the IndyCar Series, in which she has competed for first Rahal Letterman Racing and latterly Andretti Green Racing since 2005.

"In the IRL I do not see anything," Piquet said in response to suggestions that F1 should leap on the opportunity to secure its first female driver since Italian Giovanna Amati failed to qualify for Brabham back in 1992. "No brakes, no corners, no nothing."

The Brazilian attempted to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 in 1992, but badly injured himself in a practice accident. Undeterred, he returned to the legendary Brickyard the following year, lining up 13th on the grid.