Carmen Jorda has issued a statement aiming to clear up her comments about the൲ "physical issues" facing female drivers lookജing to reach Formula 1 following a backlash from the motorsport community.

FIA Women in Motorsport Commission member Jorda sparked controversy when she told reporters in Mexico City last week that Formula E would b🃏e easier for women to drive due to its less physical nature, with her comments being taken by some to suggest F1 was out of reach for female racers on the motorsport lad💝der.

Jorda issued a tweet in respon🍬se to the story that was latꦕer deleted before releasing a statement on Thursday night.

"💛On Saturday, after testing a Formula E car before the Mexico City E-Prix, I spoke to several journalists about the experience,"✅ the statement reads.

"During one interview I was asked to compare driving a Formula E carꦍ to a Formula 1 car, and then specifically, whether Formula E is easier for women to compete in that Formula 1.

"Having some experience of bot🔜h cars, I gave my personal opinion that driving a Formula E car presents less of a physical challenge than Formula 1, because of the lower 🙈downforce.

"I also referred to there being 'a physical issue' for women in Formula 1, something which has created considerable deba💖te over the last few days - including from many prominent women within our sport.

"I would like to thank fellow drivers for sharing their opinions, and respect their views greatly. I am sorry if my comments ap💦peared to speak for all women and created all confusion - as I was reflecting merely on my own personal experience.

"I never intended to discourage other women from competing at the pinnacle of our sport, or say that they physically cannot. My comments were purely a response to a direct🙈 question, asking 'do you think Formula E would be easier for women?'

"As a member of the FIA's Women in 💝Motor🐟sport Commission, I am committed to encouraging more women to become involved in our sport - both on and off the track - and celebrating those who are achieving great results.

"As such, I would like to extend my congratulations to Tatiana Calderon, who was yesterday announced aꦗs a Formula 1ꦆ test driver at Sauber. I hope that she can become the first woman in 41 ye⛎ars to start a race on the Formula 1 grid and wish her the very 💞best of luck for the coming season.

"I wish all woᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚm𓆏en in motorsport a happy International Women's Day for tomorrow."