Susie Wolff

Susie Wolff born 6 December 1982 in Oban is a British racing driver from Scotland. She has progressed through the ranks of motorsport, starting off in karting, then moving up to Formula Renault and Formula Three before moving to the DTM to compete for Mercedes-Benz since 2006. In 2012 she was signed by the Williams Formula One team to work as a development driver and she is still in that role.
She lives in Ermatingen, Switzerland with her husband Toto Wolff, since January 21, 2013, executive director of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. The two were married in October 2011.

Susie is aiming to be the first ever woman since 1976 and Lella Lombardi to race in F1.

She has her own TV program on Sunday 24.3.2013 BBC2 8pm : Driven: The Fastest Women in the World.

Her race record is none to impressive at zero wins, and you would have to say she would not deserve a drive based on that alone. However it is way beyond time that a woman driver should be in F1 and if Susie can open that door which has been closed since 1976 then I say good luck to her and I hope she gets a drive in a decent car.

 

[F1Yorkshire]

Just been looking at the route she took to get to this stage of her career. It is very similar to the one taken by Paul Di Resta, the only difference is that Di Resta consistently won races and championships, Wolff's best result seem to be a few podiums in Formula Renault and not ever finishing better than 7th in DTM in her 7 seasons.

If she is good enough for F1 what about the countless others who have consistently finished in front of her in the last 12 years, why don't they get their chance at the big time?

 

[Mephistopheles]

I'm sorry to have to say this Greenlantern101 but Mrs Wolff's racing career stat's are abysmal compared to many, many other female drivers, she does not deserve a place in F1 on that fact alone, she is only getting talked about because of her connections I'm sorry but on her stat's alone she just doesn't cut the mustard....

 

[Greenlantern101]

Mephistopheles I agree that stats alone say no. But stats can be deceptive. Prior to 2009 Jenson Button looked like no more than an OK driver resigned to a midfield career.

My point is that it is hard to get wins when you are in a shit team. I am not saying she is the next Schumacher but I bet she is on par with most of the pay drivers in F1.

 

[RasputinLives]

Jenson Button broke nearly every record in the book with his karting career and was fast tracked into F1 because he'd been spotted as a huge talent. He was the youngest driver ever to score points at the time and whilst he had a couple of drab periods in drab cars Also managed to push BAR/Honda to the closest competitor to the all conqueoring Ferrari at one point. Do not under estimate how good his 2004 season was.

Hardly comparable to someone scoring just one points finish in DTM.

 

[racecub]

Some people look good in prior categories and then bomb in F1 and vice versa. Jan Magnesson springs to mind. You can only judge Susie as an f1 candidate on how she compares to other F1 candidates. And she didnt do bad.

 

[RasputinLives]

Well in that case then I think I deserve a drive at Williams and will start my campaign here. I think I'm a future world champion and none of you can say I'm not until I've had an F1 test.

 

[RasputinLives]

As for the point about giving female drivers a chance Britain has a young female driver called Alice Powell who is currently leading the championship in the F3 cup.

Is she good enough for F1. Not yet but maybe if she keeps improving. If Williams were giving her a test I wouldn't have an issue. Susie just doesn't cut it I'm afraid. I'm sure she's a lovely person like.

 

[racecub]

Well in that case then I think I deserve a drive at Williams and will start my campaign here. I think I'm a future world champion and none of you can say I'm not until I've had an F1 test.

Unless I'm missing something the name Rasptini wasn't on the list of drivers attending the YDT at Siverstone, but the name Susie Wolff was. She finished a creditable ninth, higher than some regular drivers, did 89 trouble free laps and didnt go off the track. When you do that maybe you will also be considered for F1.
Look, I'm not saying Susie should be in F1, and I'm aware there are other female drivers with more long term potential. All I'm saying is IF she does times compatible to other drivers being considered for a race seat, then she should be considered.

 

[gethinceri]

But she won't, so she shouldn't.

 

[RasputinLives]

racecub you are missing the point. What has she done to have earned that chance to show she could compete? nothing.

I would have been 8th and not just ahead of the Marussia's and Caterhams mind. I guess all I have to do to get my shot is marry Claire Williams. Once I've done that you'll have to support me for a drive because junior records and anything done out of F1 don't count it seems.

 

[Bill Boddy]

I can't see mean old Frank Williams giving his daughter sufficient dowry to be able to buy you a seat. But yes, I do agree that if a driver has done nothing worthwhile pre-F1 they are not likely to be worthy of getting a drive in an F1 car. It does mean that one driver who was more worthy of being given a chance did not get it.

 

[Greenlantern101]

But yes, I do agree that if a driver has done nothing worthwhile pre-F1 they are not likely to be worthy of getting a drive in an F1 car.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narain_Karthikeyan

Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[RasputinLives]

Well theres the funny thing. Narain has a far better record and would most likely leave Wolff in the shade given simmilar equiptment yet you mock him. odd.

I'm upping my campaign for the Williams race seat my trying to get media attention by doing doughnuts in Lidel car park in my other half's pink toyota Starlett later.

 

[Mephistopheles]

Chanoch Nissany springs to mind, I'm not sure why....

 

[teabagyokel]

F1 drivers are made up of maybe 10 of the best drivers in the world. The others are just good drivers with sponsorship, who by your criteria have no right to be in F1. No reason Susie shouldn't be one of them.

The reason is that Wolff is not up to the level of the good drivers with sponsorship.

She's got to where she has by marrying the boss; can't think that stands as a good message to young girls who may otherwise try talent and hard work.

 

[Mephistopheles]

I would like to make one thing very clear, I personally would love to see a female driver taking it too and beating the boys but Mrs Wolff isn't that female she just hasn't got the talent, doing a not very remarkable time in testing is not racing..

 

[cider_and_toast]

Absolutely agree with you Mephistopheles, it's not about being female but about being good enough and I just don't think she is.

 

[RasputinLives]

I would like to make one thing very clear, I personally would love to see a female driver taking it too and beating the boys but Mrs Wolff isn't that female she just hasn't got the talent, doing a not very remarkable time in testing is not racing..

exactly the point I was making about Alice Powell. She (and probably many in front of her) at least have the potential to get to a competitve status so if Williams are set on running a female driver then great, give one of them a go and let them see if they can get there. Don't stick in the equivilant of Yamamoto and act like you're making a stance for equal rights.

 

[teabagyokel]

What women getting into F1 need is a standard bearer, someone to show that women can do it. Susie Wolff will deepen the shadow of Amati if given the chance, making it yet more difficult for fast women.

 

[gethinceri]

I know a few fast women.....