Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Susie Wolff

How Susie Wolff built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Susie Wolff, a Scottish former professional racing driver, now serves as the managing director of the F1 Academy. Her career saw her rise through the ranks of motorsport, ultimately becoming a test driver for the Williams Formula 1 team. Wolff has been a vocal advocate for greater female participation in motorsport, contributing to initiatives aimed at encouraging and supporting women in racing. She uses her position to promote opportunities for young female drivers.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1992: First woman to participate in a Formula One weekend since 1992

In 2014, at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Susie Wolff became the first woman to participate in a Formula One weekend since 1992, when Giovanna Amati made three unsuccessful Grand Prix qualification attempts.

1996: British Woman Kart Racing Driver of the Year

In 1996, Susie Wolff was named the British Woman Kart Racing Driver of the Year, acknowledging her talent in kart racing.

1997: Karting Successes and Award

In 1997, Susie Wolff achieved success in multiple karting categories including winning the 24hr Middle East Kart Championship, and was named British Woman Kart Racing Driver of the year for the second time.

1998: British Junior Intercontinental Championship

In 1998, Susie Wolff moved to the British Junior Intercontinental "A" Championship, securing 10th overall, and was named British Woman Kart Racing Driver of the year for the third consecutive season.

2000: Top Female Kart Driver Award

In 2000, Susie Wolff placed 10th in British Formula “A” and 15th in the Formula “A” World Championships, and won the Top Female Kart Driver in the World award.

2001: Formula Renault Winter Series Debut

In 2001, Susie Wolff transitioned from kart racing to single-seater racing, gaining her initial experience in the Formula Renault Winter Series with Motaworld Racing.

2003: Formula Renault UK Championship Success

In 2003, Susie Wolff finished ninth overall in the Formula Renault UK Championship, secured her maiden podium finish and was a finalist in the BRDC McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year Award and selected as the BRDC Rising Star of the Year.

2004: Formula Renault UK Championship

In 2004, Susie Wolff finished fifth overall in the Formula Renault UK Championship, achieving three podium finishes and points in 19 of the season’s 20 races.

2004: Drove a 2004-spec Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

In 2006, Susie Wolff drove a 2004-spec Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe while racing for Mücke Motorsport in DTM.

2005: British Formula 3 Championship

In 2005, Susie Wolff advanced to the British Formula 3 Championship for Alan Docking Racing, with her season disrupted by an ankle injury. She also appeared in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

2006: DTM Debut with Mücke Motorsport

In 2006, Susie Wolff began competing in the DTM, racing for Mücke Motorsport and achieving a best finish of ninth overall in the final round at the Hockenheimring.

2007: DTM Season with Mücke Motorsport

In 2007, Susie Wolff continued in the DTM driving for Mücke Motorsport, achieving her best result at Mugello in Italy, where she finished 10th.

2007: Moved Up to a 2007-specification car

In 2008, Susie Wolff moved up to a 2007-specification car.

2008: Joined Persson Motorsport

At the end of the 2007 season, Susie Wolff left Mücke Motorsport to join Persson Motorsport for the 2008 season.

2008: DTM Performance at Norisring

In June 2008, Susie Wolff recorded her best performance of the year at the Norisring race, finishing 10th while driving a 2007-specification car.

2009: DTM Performance at Norisring and Oschersleben

In 2009, Susie Wolff equalled her best performance, finishing 10th on two occasions, again at the Norisring and Oschersleben.

2010: Best Season in DTM

In 2010, Susie Wolff had her best season in the DTM with Persson Motorsport, finishing seventh at Lausitz and Hockenheimring, ending the season with four points and 13th in the Drivers’ Championship.

April 2012: Named Development Driver for Williams

On April 11, 2012, Susie Wolff was named as a development driver for the Williams Formula One team, marking a significant step in her career.

2012: Signed by Williams

In 2012, Susie Wolff was signed by Williams in Formula One to work as a development driver, marking a significant step in her career.

2012: Departure from DTM

Susie Wolff announced her departure from DTM ahead of the 2012 finale at the Hockenheimring, concluding her seven-season tenure to focus on her testing duties with Williams in Formula One.

December 2013: Race of Champions Cancellation

In December 2013, the Race of Champions, which Susie Wolff was scheduled to participate in, was cancelled due to the political situation in Bangkok.

July 2014: Drove at German Grand Prix

On July 18, 2014, Susie Wolff drove in a free practice session at the German Grand Prix, overcoming initial car problems to finish 15th out of 22 cars.

November 2014: Enhanced Role as Test Driver for Williams

On November 28, 2014, Williams announced that Susie Wolff would stay with the team for the 2015 season in an enhanced role as test driver, with her position expanded to include two Friday practice runs and two test outings.

2014: Free Practice Sessions at British and German Grand Prix

In 2014, Williams announced that Susie Wolff would be driving in two free practice sessions at the British and German Grand Prix, marking a significant opportunity in her career.

2014: Participated in British Grand Prix Practice

In 2014, at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Susie Wolff became the first woman in 22 years to take part in a Formula One race weekend by participating in practice.

2014: Race of Champions in Barbados

In 2014, at the Race of Champions event in Barbados, Susie Wolff and David Coulthard competed as Team United Kingdom, reaching the finals of the Nations' Cup but losing to Team Nordic.

November 2015: Retirement Announcement and Final Race

On November 4, 2015, Susie Wolff announced her retirement from Formula One, expressing intentions to help other women in motorsport. She competed in the 2015 Race of Champions before retiring.

November 2015: Retirement from motorsport

On November 4, 2015, Susie Wolff announced her retirement from motorsport, with her last competition being the Race of Champions at the end of November.

2015: Practice Sessions in Spanish and British Grand Prix

In 2015, Susie Wolff clocked a lap in the first practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix and returned to the cockpit in practice for the British Grand Prix, placing 13th out of 20 cars.

2015: Final Race of Champions Appearance

In 2015, Susie Wolff partnered with David Coulthard at the Race of Champions in London, representing Team Scotland. This marked her final professional race before retiring from motorsport.

January 2016: Launched Dare to be Different

On January 14, 2016, Susie Wolff co-founded Dare to be Different with Rob Jones, aiming to increase the participation of women in motorsport.

2016: Joined Channel 4 as an Analyst

In 2016, Susie Wolff joined Channel 4 in the UK to be an analyst for their Formula One coverage.

2016: Mercedes Ambassador and Testing

In 2016, Susie Wolff joined Mercedes as one of their ambassadors and was among the first to test the Mercedes-AMG One.

2018: Joined Venturi Racing as Team Principal and Shareholder

In 2018, Susie Wolff joined Venturi Racing in Formula E as Team Principal and became a shareholder in the team, expanding her role in motorsport management.

2018: Joined Venturi Racing as Team Principal

In 2018, Susie Wolff joined Venturi Racing in Formula E as Team Principal, marking a new chapter in her motorsport career.

February 2019: Dare to be Different United with FIA Girls on Track

In February 2019, Dare to be Different united with the FIA Girls on Track initiative to reach a wider audience and raise awareness of opportunities for girls in motorsport.

2019: Powertrain Partnership

In 2019, Venturi entered into a powertrain partnership with Mercedes-EQ for the 2019–20 season.

2020: Venturi's Most Successful Campaign

In 2020, under Susie Wolff’s management, Venturi experienced its most successful campaign to date, recording 146 points with Edoardo Mortara securing second in the Drivers' World Championship.

November 2021: Promotion to CEO of Venturi Racing

In November 2021, Susie Wolff was promoted to the role of CEO at Venturi Racing, while Jérôme d'Ambrosio became Team Principal.

2021: Promoted to CEO of Venturi Racing

In 2021, Susie Wolff was promoted to the role of CEO at Venturi Racing, further solidifying her leadership within the team.

August 2022: Departure from Venturi

In August 2022, Susie Wolff announced that she would leave Venturi in light of the team's plans to rebrand as Maserati MSG Racing from the 2022–23 season.