Female F2 driver is Buemi’s cousin

Natacha Gachnang

(GMM) The first woman in the newly launched Formula Two series, Natacha Gachnang, is likely to have a relative on the F1 grid next season.

Gachnang, the 21-year-old Swiss with experience in Formula BMW and F3, this week signed up to race next year in F2, the FIA's new low-cost feeder category for premier grand prix racing.

Her cousin is Sebastien Buemi, the 20-year-old Swiss driver who is hotly tipped to make his F1 debut with the Toro Rosso team in 2009.

Gachnang finished the Spanish F3 championship third in 2008, and the prize for winning in Formula Two is a fully-fledged F1 test with Williams.

The last female formula one driver was Italian Giovanna Amati, who in 1992 failed to qualify for three grands prix with Brabham.