Formula 1 News: Susie Wolff’s Mission to Drive Change in Motorsport
A Historic Moment
Ten years ago, Susie Wolff made history by becoming the first woman since 1992 to participate in a Formula 1 weekend, taking part in the free practice session at the 2014 British Grand Prix. Now, as the Managing Director of F1 ACADEMY, she’s determined to use her experiences to help drive the next generation of young female talent, both on and off the track.
Wolff’s journey began in 2012 when she was named a development driver for Williams Racing. Two years later, she made her free practice debut at Silverstone, marking a significant milestone in her career. “That was a huge moment for me, one that came with huge pressure but also huge opportunity,” Wolff reminisces. “I remember the pressure I felt to go out there and perform, knowing that it was my one chance to show what I was capable of.“
Breaking Barriers
Outside the cockpit, Wolff acknowledged that many were questioning whether a woman had what it took to perform in a modern-day F1 car. But, once the visor went down, she knew that her performance on track would do the talking. “I was incredibly lucky that my parents never made me think I was doing something unusual for a girl,” Wolff says. “My elder brother raced, and in my opinion, anything he could do, I could do. Let’s not forget, when you’re driving, you’re wearing a helmet. Nobody actually sees the driver, so your gender is irrelevant – what matters the most is performance.“
F1 ACADEMY: The Next Generation
Now, Wolff has an undeniably vast mission ahead of her as the Managing Director of F1 ACADEMY – to champion the next generation of female talent both on and off-track and help change perceptions in the sport. Her ambition is matched by the determination and work that is already being done to affect change by “opening up the whole ecosystem of the sport.” With F1 ACADEMY, Wolff aims to increase participation, increase the talent pool, and make sure that more women enter the sport.
A Movement, Not a Moment
“I think we’re not a moment, we’re a movement and we want to increase participation, increase the talent pool and make sure that we have more women entering our sport,” Wolff emphasizes. Through F1 ACADEMY, Wolff is working to create a pipeline of talented female drivers, engineers, and team members who can make a difference in the sport.
Formula 1 Today: A New Era
As F1 ACADEMY enters its sophomore season, Wolff’s work is still in the early stages. But even the smallest step will pave the way for the next generation. With her own achievements dispelling the myths about whether a woman can race in F1, she knows that results won’t happen overnight. But she’s optimistic about the future. “Would I love to see a woman racing in Formula 1? Of course, I would – and I’m not a very patient person on the best of days! So, it can’t happen soon enough, but change takes time. By increasing the talent pool that’s out there racing, I’m pretty sure that we’ll see a woman in Formula 1. I can’t tell you exactly when, but I hope ASAP.“
Formula 1 Calendar: Watch This Space
Wolff concludes, “I’m at the beginning of my journey with F1 ACADEMY. I’m incredibly ambitious, and we’ve got a lot of things coming, so please watch this space.” As the Formula 1 calendar unfolds, fans will be eagerly watching Wolff’s progress and the impact of F1 ACADEMY on the sport. With her dedication and passion, it’s clear that Susie Wolff is driving change in motorsport, and her mission is only just beginning.
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