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Susie Wolff will become the first woman behind the wheels of a Formula One car in 22 years when she competes in the opening practice for Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
Wolff is the wife of Mercedes team Chief Toto Wolff. She believes that women do deserve a chance in Formula 1 and that she has a talent to challenge for a racing seat in the future.
"What is most important for this session is the team," she told reporters. "But I am also ambitious and, for me, this is my chance to show what I can do. It's an opportunity not many get and as a woman I've had to work even harder to earn respect. This is a super, super chance. I have to show what I can do.”"I'm nervous, but you need that adrenaline. Honestly, I'm ready. The Barcelona test prepared me perfectly so I am ready. I know that everyone thinks that I need to show if I am fast, but I'm not going to go on qualifying runs. I am part of the team and I will do my programme just as Valtteri (Bottas) would have done. It's very important for me to return the car in one piece and not 20!"
Giovanni Amati was the last woman who attempted to qualify for the Brabham team in the opening three races of the 1992 season.
Amati did not qualify for Brabham as she lost her seat to Briton Damon Hill. He went onto win the drivers’ world title with Williams in 1996.
Spaniard Maria de Villota also tried to make her debut as a test driver for the Marussia team in 2012. She suffered an accident during testing at Duxford and sustained serious head injuries. She succumbed to the injuries later that year.
Italian Lella Lombardi is the only woman to score points in Formula One after finishing sixth in the abandoned 1975 Spanish Grand Prix.
Swiss Simona De Silvestro was signed by Sauber earlier this year and hope that she can take to the tracks next year.
Wolff is not new to racing as she has competed in British karting and single-seater series to take part in the German sportscar championship (DTM).
Wolff is hopeful
She is optimistic of her success. "I'm realistic and it is not easy," she said. "It's a struggle because there are so many other talented drivers who are fighting for the same chance. But the teams want lighter drivers which count in our favour and, physically, we are catching up on the men."You need to be the complete package and bring in the right amount of sponsorship if you are to be taken seriously. It would be a great marketing ploy to sign a woman, so you never know."The whole culture of the sport is changing and there are more female engineers and bosses. It's a great time to be a woman in motor sport."
