Photo: Williams Martini Racing
She was the first woman to take part in a Formula One race weekend in 22 years, at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, but as AC/DC correctly put this, “It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll.”
Susie Wolff never said she was not ready to run the whole nine yards, but things just did not work out this time. Was it because of the way motorsport tends to be a man-only field? Maybe, but it’s probably more than that.
Mrs. Wolff has said it before; she simply doesn’t get as many occasions to race one would need to become better at pro racing. Sure, that doesn’t mean that the time she spent on track was in vain. Since being appointed as Williams Development Driver in April 2012, Susie has worked closely with the team before being promoted to Official Test Driver in 2015.
According to Williams Martini Racing, her role has seen her play a significant part in the development of the FW35, FW36 and FW37 single seaters through extensive simulator work, not to mention getting behind the wheel for straight line aerodynamic tests and during several test days. Her Formula One career culminated in her driving the FW36 during FP1 at the 2014 British and German Grands Prix.
Speaking of the recent news, Susie said:, “I’d like to thank Williams for the opportunity they have given me over the last few years which has allowed me to achieve my dream of driving a Formula 1 car. It has been great to work with everyone at the team, both at Grove and trackside, and I’d like to thank everyone who has been part of my journey at Williams. I am now closing this chapter but looking forward to new challenges in the future.”
A while ago, when early rumors of her decision popped up, Wolff stated that when the time came, she would commit entirely to training younger female drivers and teaching them, in the hope that one day they too would get a chance to drive in F1.
Mrs. Wolff has said it before; she simply doesn’t get as many occasions to race one would need to become better at pro racing. Sure, that doesn’t mean that the time she spent on track was in vain. Since being appointed as Williams Development Driver in April 2012, Susie has worked closely with the team before being promoted to Official Test Driver in 2015.
According to Williams Martini Racing, her role has seen her play a significant part in the development of the FW35, FW36 and FW37 single seaters through extensive simulator work, not to mention getting behind the wheel for straight line aerodynamic tests and during several test days. Her Formula One career culminated in her driving the FW36 during FP1 at the 2014 British and German Grands Prix.
Speaking of the recent news, Susie said:, “I’d like to thank Williams for the opportunity they have given me over the last few years which has allowed me to achieve my dream of driving a Formula 1 car. It has been great to work with everyone at the team, both at Grove and trackside, and I’d like to thank everyone who has been part of my journey at Williams. I am now closing this chapter but looking forward to new challenges in the future.”
A while ago, when early rumors of her decision popped up, Wolff stated that when the time came, she would commit entirely to training younger female drivers and teaching them, in the hope that one day they too would get a chance to drive in F1.
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