Scotland’s Susie Wolff devotes maiden F1 drive to ‘incredible’ Maria De Villota

By Ian Parkes
Published on 18/10/2012 00:00

SCOTLAND’S Susie Wolff has dedicated her first experience of a Formula 1 car to Maria de Villota.

Wolff is only the fourth woman in the last decade to get behind the wheel of an F1 car, with Williams’ development driver completing 100 kilometres of Silverstone’s international circuit. In 2002 Sarah Fisher was allowed a run in a McLaren at Indianapolis, followed by Katherine Legge in a Minardi at the Vallelunga circuit near Rome three years later.

Last year De Villota tested for Lotus-Renault in an old Renault at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France prior to joining Marussia in March as test driver. In July, however, De Villota lost the sight in her right eye after being involved in an accident at Duxford Airfield whilst conducting straight-line aero testing for Marussia.

Wolff, 29, who is wife to Williams’ executive director and shareholder Toto, has admitted to being inspired by De Villota, who conducted her first press conference last week since sustaining the injury which has effectively ended her motorsport career.

“She is an incredible lady. Before you even talk about her as a racing driver, you have to know she is an incredible person, an inspiration,” said Wolff. “We were in contact a couple of weeks ago and she told me to drive for the both of us now, that I would be out there representing us both. I had Maria’s star on my helmet, it’s with pride I have that and, without a doubt, I was driving for the two of us.”

Wolff, who under her maiden name Stoddart has previously competed in karting, Formula Renault and Formula 3 prior to moving into DTM in 2006, since when she has driven for Mercedes, took to the wheel with no nerves. She added: “The team gave me such a brilliant feeling, a lot of confidence this morning, so I was well-prepared for it. Never at any point was I worried about what was happening. Everything was under control and it was really good fun.

“I’ve waited a long time for this day. I’ve dreamed about this for a long time, with the first lap something special. I’ve done a lot of days in the simulator so I knew what to expect, but of course it is tremendously different when you are out there. The track was quite dry, but there were still a few damp patches which meant there were a few little moments, but it was very exciting.” As for her progression beyond yesterday’s experience, it is a case of wait and see. Wolff said: “This was a good step forward for me to drive a Formula One car for the first time, but I’m not going to run before I can walk. I have to show the team I am capable, can do the job well and hopefully get more opportunities to drive the car.

“You can not underestimate how talented are the drivers on the Formula One grid and how on the limit they are. It’s an incredible level. So for me the journey is just starting, my first time in the car and let’s see where that takes me.”

Meanwhile, the first woman to lead a Formula 1 team has another reason to look forward to the Indian Grand Prix next week – it’s in her country of birth.

The 41-year-old Monisha Kaltenborn was promoted from Sauber’s chief executive to its team principal last week and she said her main focus now is on ensuring the Switzerland-based team improves on its four podium finishes this season.

“The Indian GP is a race like any other, with the same meticulous preparations and the same aspiration to achieve the best possible result,” Kaltenborn said in a Sauber statement. “From a personal point of view, it’s rather different. Obviously, I’m particularly looking forward to this race in my home country.”

Sauber is sixth in the F1 constructors’ standings on 116 points, and Kaltenborn believes the team can rise at least one spot with four races left in the season. “Our ambitious goal remains to finish fifth in the constructors’ world championship,” she said, “and I have the utmost confidence, both in our team at Hinwil and in the crew at the track along with our two drivers, Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez.”