Like most successful racing stories, Susie Wolff - who used her maiden name Susie Stoddart at the time - started her motorsport career karting. During her early ages, Susie raced in Formula Renault and built a career in DTM for Mercedes Benz, the series where she remained for seven seasons.
Image: Susie Wolff by Formula 1, 2023
Career in Formula 1
In 2012, Susie was hired by the F1 Williams team as a test driver, starting a career in one of the most prestigious motorsport series: Formula 1. But it was in 2014 that Susie wrote her name in the sport's history and became the first woman since Giovanna Amati in 1992 to participate in an official Formula 1 session. The then reserve driver participated in Free Practice 1 at the Silverstone British GP for Williams.
From Dare To Be Different to Girls on Track
Although Susie announced her retirement from racing in 2015, she was far from ending her career in the motorsport world. The following year, she launched the Dare To Be Different project, which aimed to open paths and support girls and women within the motorsport. And more than that, the project aimed to expose the motorsport world to as many girls as possible, especially those who dreamed of one day becoming a professional drivers like Susie
Dare To Be Different started the project that is now known as the FIA Girls on Track, as in 2019, it was incorporated into the FIA to give more visibility and scope to the action. Today, the project has a global impact and collaborates with several motorsport series, such as Formula 1, Formula E, and Extreme E, to encourage and support girls aged 8 to 18 to get involved in the sport. Additionally, it offers a unique experience and inspires new generations.
Image: FIA Girls on Track in the Mexico City Formula E-Prix by FIA 2023
Honors
Susie Wolff won the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) award, a medal of the British Empire, which rewards British citizens for their contributions and works related to art, science, sports, charitable organizations, and social impact. Susie has been recognized for her efforts and contributions to women within motorsport, not only in the United Kindom but globally.
Career in Formula E
She was appointed Team Principal at the Formula E Venturi Racing in 2019 and promoted to Execute Director of the team two years later. During her time at Venturi, the team reached its best results, winning a runner-up. In August 2022, Susie stepped down from the role.
New endeavours
In 2023, the FIA announced a new project to include women in sport: the F1 Academy, a 100% female motorsport championship, which aims to be a gateway to series such as Formula 3, Formula 2, and ultimately Formula 1. Confirming the speculations and given the many popular comments about how the championship would be a success with Susie at the head of the project, the FIA announced Susie Wolff as Managing Director of the series in March 2023. The confirmation of Susie in the position also ended the rumors that she would take over the role of Team Principal at Williams, which also became vacant at the end of 2022 during the Silly Season.
Currently, Susie continues to inspire and guide women in motorsport at the head of the FIA Girls on Track and reconciling it with her work at the F1 Academy, which had its start in April of this year.
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