Motorsport

Susie Wolff: Formula One pioneer aims to electrify Formula E

Alex Kalinauckas for CNN
4 minute read
Updated 6:03 AM EDT, Tue August 14, 2018
And for her next job in motorsport .... Susie Wolff is to run the Venturi Formula E team.
And for her next job in motorsport .... Susie Wolff is to run the Venturi Formula E team.
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
British driver <strong>Susie Wolff</strong> became Formula One's first female competitor in 20 years when she took part in <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2014/04/18/motorsport/gallery/susie-wolff-formula-one-williams/Susie%20Wolff%20will%20become%20the%20Formula%20One%27s%20first%20female%20competitor%20in%2020%20years%20when%20she%20takes%20part%20in%20the%20first%20practice%20sessions%20at%20the%20British%20and%20German%20grands%20prix%20in%20July." target="_blank">the first practice sessions at the British Grand Prix</a>. But in 2015 she announced her retirement from the sport saying her dream of making it into the starting grid "isn't going to happen."
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
British driver Susie Wolff became Formula One's first female competitor in 20 years when she took part in the first practice sessions at the British Grand Prix. But in 2015 she announced her retirement from the sport saying her dream of making it into the starting grid "isn't going to happen."
Courtesy Williams
Wolff told CNN Sport: "I rode the wave, was energized by all the support and fought hard. There were those who wanted it to happen. Those who didn't. Do I think F1 is ready for a competitive female racing driver that can perform at the highest level? Yes. Do I think it is achievable as a woman? Most definitely. Do I think it will happen soon? Sadly no."<br />
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
Wolff told CNN Sport: "I rode the wave, was energized by all the support and fought hard. There were those who wanted it to happen. Those who didn't. Do I think F1 is ready for a competitive female racing driver that can perform at the highest level? Yes. Do I think it is achievable as a woman? Most definitely. Do I think it will happen soon? Sadly no."
Charles Coates/Getty Images/file
Born in Scotland in 1982 as Susie Stoddart, her parents ran a motorbike shop -- and it wasn't long before she got the racing bug.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
Born in Scotland in 1982 as Susie Stoddart, her parents ran a motorbike shop -- and it wasn't long before she got the racing bug.
THOMAS LOHNES/AFP/Getty Images
At eight years old, she and her brother got their first go-karts. It would mark the start of her life in competitive motorsport.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
At eight years old, she and her brother got their first go-karts. It would mark the start of her life in competitive motorsport.
Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images
At 18 she was ranked 15th in the world at karting, racing against future F1 stars Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Kimi Raikkonen.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
At 18 she was ranked 15th in the world at karting, racing against future F1 stars Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Kimi Raikkonen.
(Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
After spells in Formula Renault and Formula 3000, she landed in DTM (German Touring Car) racing with Mercedes Benz in 2006. She finished her first race in the top 10.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
After spells in Formula Renault and Formula 3000, she landed in DTM (German Touring Car) racing with Mercedes Benz in 2006. She finished her first race in the top 10.
Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images
In 2010, Wolff became the first female driver to score points in DTM in almost 20 years.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
In 2010, Wolff became the first female driver to score points in DTM in almost 20 years.
Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images/file
The 2010 season became her most fruitful so far, and she ended ahead of teammates Ralf Schumacher and David Coulthard -- both former F1 stars.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
The 2010 season became her most fruitful so far, and she ended ahead of teammates Ralf Schumacher and David Coulthard -- both former F1 stars.
Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images/file
In 2010, she married Williams F1 board member Toto Wolff, who is now working for rival team Mercedes.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
In 2010, she married Williams F1 board member Toto Wolff, who is now working for rival team Mercedes.
Johannes Kernmayer
Wolff has described F1 as the "ultimate goal," and says she was determined to follow that dream.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
Wolff has described F1 as the "ultimate goal," and says she was determined to follow that dream.
Wolff signed for the Williams F1 team as a development driver in April 2012. "Sometimes in life you just need a chance. Claire and Frank (Williams) gave me that chance," she told CNN.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
Wolff signed for the Williams F1 team as a development driver in April 2012. "Sometimes in life you just need a chance. Claire and Frank (Williams) gave me that chance," she told CNN.
Williams F1
Her responsibilities that year involved testing the aerodynamics of the car to be driven by Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna, and driving the Williams race simulator.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
Her responsibilities that year involved testing the aerodynamics of the car to be driven by Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna, and driving the Williams race simulator.
Williams F1
Wolff had her first F1 test at the end of 2012 and was given an expanded role for the 2013 season.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
Wolff had her first F1 test at the end of 2012 and was given an expanded role for the 2013 season.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images/file
In 2013, she was the first person to drive the team's new car.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
In 2013, she was the first person to drive the team's new car.
Williams F1
"I was also unsure if the strain was going to be too much," she says. "But already on my first lap out of the pits I knew it was going to be manageable."
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
"I was also unsure if the strain was going to be too much," she says. "But already on my first lap out of the pits I knew it was going to be manageable."
Mark Thompson/Getty Images/file
Her new responsibilities for the season made her a regular fixture in the pits, as she eyed a driver's berth.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
Her new responsibilities for the season made her a regular fixture in the pits, as she eyed a driver's berth.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images/file
For 2014, she joined Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa behind the wheel for two practice sessions -- at Silverstone and Hockenheim -- becoming the sport's first female driver since 1992.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
For 2014, she joined Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa behind the wheel for two practice sessions -- at Silverstone and Hockenheim -- becoming the sport's first female driver since 1992.
Clive Rose/Getty Images/file
In March, Williams said Wolff wouldn't be considered as a replacement for Valtteri Bottas when the Finn's participation at the Malaysian Grand Prix was thrown into doubt by injury. She said that formed part of her decision to leave the sport.
Susie Wolff's F1 journey —
In March, Williams said Wolff wouldn't be considered as a replacement for Valtteri Bottas when the Finn's participation at the Malaysian Grand Prix was thrown into doubt by injury. She said that formed part of her decision to leave the sport.
MAL FAIRCLOUGH/AFP/file
It was <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/26/motorsport/susi-wolff-formule-a-venturi-team-principal-intl-spt/index.html">announced in June 2018</a> that Wolff had been appointed the new team principal of the Venturi Formula E team. British racing driver Alex Lynn (pictured) competes in the electric championship with DS Virgin Racing having been at Williams with Wolff as a development driver.
It was announced in June 2018 that Wolff had been appointed the new team principal of the Venturi Formula E team. British racing driver Alex Lynn (pictured) competes in the electric championship with DS Virgin Racing having been at Williams with Wolff as a development driver.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Susie Wolff's motorsport journey