With the F1 Academy line-up confirmed, Susie Wolff prepares to take on her new role of Managing Director, aiming to prepare and develop female drivers to progress through higher levels of motorsport competitions.
Motorsport Journey
Susie Wolff is no stranger to motorsport, from starting her karting career at 8 years old to testing Formula 1 cars, to now becoming the managing director of Formula 1’s brand new championship, F1 Academy.
F1 Academy is an all-female racing series where five teams will seat 15 female drivers who will compete around 21 F1 circuits. Susie will be managing the structure of the championship as well as offering her wealth of racing knowledge and insights. She will report directly to Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s president and CEO to help develop female talent and create opportunities for them in higher categories of motorsport racing.
She has been heavily involved in the world of motorsport for over 30 years and has experience as both a driver and a leader. Prior to her F1 journey, she raced in Formula Renault (2001-2004), moving up into Formula 3 in 2005 to then racing in DTM for 6 years in 2006.
Formula One
In 2012, Susie was announced as a development driver for 9-time Constructors’ Champions, Williams Racing and in 2014 drove two practice sessions at both the British and German Grand Prix’s. Here she made history at the British Grand Prix by becoming the first woman to take part in an F1 weekend since 1992. She stayed with the team in 2015, driving in pre-season testing as well as more practice sessions at the Spanish and British Grand Prix’s.
Later that year she announced her retirement from Formula One, ending 2015 by representing Scotland in the 2015 Race of Champions. A year later Susie joined Mercedes-AMG as an ambassador where she tested the Mercedes-AMG One (previously known as Project One).
Formula E
Susie ventured into electric racing in 2018 where she joined Venturi Racing as Team Principal. Under her management, she led the team to its most successful racing season picking up 146 points in the championship’s standings as well as Edoardo Mortara claiming second place in the Drivers’ Championship.
Dare To Be Different
Susie has always been a huge advocate for women in the motorsport industry, expressing her support in helping those climb up the ranks and into their dream jobs. Dare to be Different is a campaign founded and launched back in 2016, with the intention of inspiring the next generation of talent as well as increasing female participation in motorsport.
The initiative holds events across the U.K. and invites school girls between the ages of 8-14 to take part in engaging and stimulating motorsport-related activities.
In the pursuit of motorsport talent, the campaign has ambassadors from Williams Racing Formula One Principal Claire Williams to Formula 2 racing driver Tatiana Calderón. 3 years after its launch, Dare to be Different joined forces with FIA Girls on Track to help raise awareness of the array of opportunities and jobs in the motorsport industry.
We can’t wait to see Susie in her new role as the season for F1 Academy gets underway on the 28-29 April in Austria.
In a statement released ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Susie said,
“It can inspire women around the world to follow their dreams and realise that with talent, passion and determination, there is no limit to what they can achieve.”
“This is also the start of an important new chapter in my career, combining the experience I have developed so far with my passion for diversity and empowerment, so I would like to thank Stefano for entrusting me with a role that means as much to me personally as it does professionally.”
Written by Caitlin Carroll
