Formula 1 team looking to include Danica Patrick as only woman in the sport: Report

NASCAR racer Danica Patrick could become America's first female Formula One driver after her boss hinted she would be a "great candidate" for his F1 team — and the first woman in the sport in nearly four decades.

Despite struggling in her transition to NASCAR,  Formula One racing could be an option for one of the most accomplished female race car drivers in history.

Formula One team owner Gene Haas, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, for whom  Patrick races for in NASCAR, is preparing to launch a brand new F 1 team in time for the 2016 season.

And in an interview with NBCSN commentator at the Canadian Grand Prix yesterday, the racing mogul dismissed the chance of any of his NASCAR drivers competing in Formula One and said including her on his team could be a possibility.

"She'd bring an awful lot of viewership, I think it's be great for America," said Haas. "I think she would be a great candidate for one of the two seats remaining.

"Whether that's going to happen or not, I think that's kind of a long shot there. Just the thought of jumping into a Formula One car from a Cup car would be very, very difficult."

The 32-year-old Patrick is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing and has competed in NASCAR since 2012, finishing inside the top ten twice. 

Patrick is the only female driver to win a Sprint Cup pole and also has the highest finish (eighth) of any female in the Daytona 500. But she is 28th in the current Cup standings in her second year of full-time Cup competition.

But women's inclusion in Formula One has been criticized by some drivers including former champion Sir Stirling Moss. 

Last year he was quoted as saying: "The mental stress I think would be pretty difficult for a lady to deal with in a practical fashion. I just don’t think they have aptitude to win a Formula One race."

"I don't care," responded Patrick, who has also faced criticism in the past for being female.

"There's going to be people who believe in you and people who don't."

Only one woman, Lella Lombardi of Italy, has ever picked up any points in a Formula One race. And she retired in 1976.