Susie Wolff

Susie Wolff: Scottish racing pioneer and motorsport leader. Explore her trajectory from karting to DTM to becoming the first woman in an F1 weekend, and now leading F1 Academy.

Introduction

Suzanne “Susie” Wolff (née Stoddart), born December 6, 1982, in Oban, Scotland, is a former professional racing driver and a prominent figure in motorsport leadership. She is best known for breaking a long-standing gender barrier by participating in a Formula 1 weekend session, and more recently for her role as Managing Director of F1 Academy, an all-female racing series. Her journey embodies both competitive ambition and a mission to expand opportunities for women in motorsport.

Early Life and Family

Susie was born to John and Sally Stoddart. Her father owned a motorcycle dealership and had a background in motorcycle racing—thus motorsports were familiar to her family.

From a young age, she and her brother were encouraged into biking, skiing, and karting. She began karting around age eight.

Racing Career

Karting & Early Single-Seaters

Wolff’s early racing was in karting, where she achieved success in junior competition and regional karting championships. Formula Renault UK, where she scored podiums and solid finishes.

She then moved to British Formula 3, though her 2005 season was affected by an ankle injury.

DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters)

From 2006 to 2012, Susie competed in DTM, driving Mercedes-backed machinery with teams like Mücke Motorsport and Persson Motorsport.

Formula 1 Development & Historic Weekend

In April 2012, Wolff was named a development driver for the Williams F1 team. free practice session at the British Grand Prix.

However, her runs were challenged by technical issues. For instance, at Silverstone she completed only one lap before an engine problem occurred.

On November 4, 2015, she announced her retirement from active motorsport, with a final outing planned for the Race of Champions that year.

Post-Racing: Leadership & Advocacy

After stepping back from driving, Susie took roles that leveraged her experience and influence to help others:

• In 2016, she co-founded Dare to be Different, a nonprofit to encourage girls (ages ~8–14) into motorsport.

• She became a commentator and analyst for Channel 4 F1 coverage in the UK.

• In 2018, she joined Venturi Racing in Formula E as Team Principal, later becoming CEO.

• On March 1, 2023, she was appointed Managing Director of F1 Academy, an all-female driver development series under the Formula 1 umbrella.

Her leadership roles reflect her commitment to improving gender representation in motorsport rather than just personal accolades.

Personality, Traits & Approach

Susie Wolff has been described as resilient, principled, and forward-looking. Her decisions often show a balance between competitive drive and purpose. In interviews, she speaks about the need for structural change so that driving talent—regardless of gender—can thrive.

She has shown humility about her own results, acknowledging how challenging the path is, while pushing for more inclusion and opportunity in motorsport culture.

Quotes

While not as heavily quoted as some public figures, here are a few attributed or paraphrased ideas from Susie Wolff:

• “I want to make sure that no young girl growing up thinks motorsport is not for them.” (about inclusion)

• On her 2014 F1 debut: “I remember the pressure” — acknowledging the weight of expectations when entering the F1 weekend.

• On stepping away: she noted that she had taken her opportunities as far as possible and that she hoped to use her experience to champion change.

Lessons from Susie Wolff

1. Break boundaries but build foundation
   Her path shows that to break into top levels one must accumulate experience, credibility, and resilience.

2. Legacy beyond performance
   While her driving achievements may not include championships, her influence through leadership and advocacy may have more lasting impact.

3. Structural change is as important as individual access
   She focuses not only on getting into F1 but on creating pathways for others.

4. Balancing ambition and timing
   She recognized when the window for competitive driving was narrowing and chose to pivot into roles where she could continue contributing.

5. Visibility matters
   Her presence in high-profile roles sends signals of possibility to girls and women interested in motorsport.

Conclusion

Susie Wolff’s story is not just about one woman racing cars—it’s about persistence in a male-dominated arena, strategic reinvention, and a bridging role between aspiration and opportunity. Her shift from the cockpit to leadership in F1 Academy and broader advocacy demonstrates a broader vision: that motorsport’s future should be inclusive, competitive, and equitable.