Susie Wolff Reflects on Her Groundbreaking F1 Debut and How F1 Academy is Shaping the Future

As the last female driver to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car during a Grand Prix weekend, Susie Wolff knows firsthand the obstacles women face in the high-octane world of motorsport. Her debut at the 2014 British Grand Prix during Free Practice 1 (FP1) was not just a personal milestone, but a historic moment for women in racing. Now, ten years later and as Managing Director of F1 Academy, Wolff strives to use her experience to foster a new generation of female talent both on and off the track.

A Groundbreaking FP1 Debut

Wolff's journey in Formula 1 began when she was named a development driver for Williams Racing in 2012. Her responsibilities included extensive simulator and aerodynamic work. Fast forward to 2014, and Wolff's name was announced for a Free Practice session at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, making her the first woman since 1992 to participate in an F1 weekend. “It was a huge moment for me, filled with both pressure and opportunity,” Wolff recalls. “I knew I had just one shot to show my capabilities. It was challenging because I had only 11 laps and two sets of tyres.”

Her Silverstone debut was not just about not crashing the car, as she knew she had to hand it back to Valtteri Bottas in one piece. “But I also had to perform at my best to prove I deserved to be there,” she adds. The memory of navigating the fast corners of Maggots and Becketts, and the adrenaline rush it provided, still lingers in her mind.

Overcoming Barriers and Proving Critics Wrong

“Many doubted whether a woman could handle an F1 car, but once my visor went down, the only thing that mattered was performance,” Wolff says. Raised in an environment where her parents and an elder racing brother encouraged her pursuits, she never felt that her gender was a barrier. Yet, the 2014 Silverstone appearance was still laden with scrutiny, with hordes of journalists eager to capture her every move. “I had to prove I could handle the pressure, and fortunately, once the car's engine started, all went calm for me,” Wolff explains.

Her successful FP1 appearances not only quelled critics but also served as tangible proof that women could compete at the highest levels of motorsport. “I completed a race distance at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, 78 laps, showing that women are physically capable of handling an F1 car,” she states confidently.

Shaping the Future as F1 Academy's Managing Director

Now at the helm of F1 Academy, Susie Wolff has an ambitious mission: to champion the next generation of female talent and change perceptions in the male-dominated sport. F1 Academy seeks to open doors by integrating young female drivers into the ecosystem of motorsport, providing them with the tools and platforms they need to succeed. In its sophomore season, F1 Academy already supports young talents like Abbi Pulling, who made history as the first female to win a British F4 race, and Marta Garcia, the 2023 F1 Academy champion, who graduated to the Formula Regional European Championship with a fully-funded seat.

“Only 5% of participants in motorsport are women, a figure F1 Academy aims to improve,” Wolff notes. The initiative includes subsidized budgets and partnerships with all 10 F1 teams, which each have their own supported driver and livery. This integration allows aspiring female drivers to benefit from a wealth of expertise, propelling their careers forward.

Additionally, F1 Academy extends beyond the track with initiatives like