First woman F1 racer since 1976 closer to reality

London: Susie Wolff’s chances of becoming the first woman racer on the grid, since 1976, just increased. She was promoted to test driver for F1 on Friday and broke the news of her promotion on Facebook, posting: “Very proud to step up to Official Test Driver with Williams F1 Team in 2015. Onwards and upwards!” 

Wolff will build on her three seasons as the team’s development driver by taking part in the first two practice sessions at races still to be determined, as well as two test days. She will also conduct extensive simulator testing to help with the development of Williams’ new cars.

The 31-year-old Wolff said, “This is another step in the right direction for me.”

The last woman to race a Formula 1 car was Italian Lella Lombardi in 1976. Italy’s Giovanna Amati failed to qualify for three races in 1992.

Susie, who joined Williams after spending seven seasons racing in German touring cars, said last year it was “a dream come true” to test drive a race car, and hopes the “fantastic path” she is on will one day lead to a Formula 1 race seat.

Wolff drove in practice ahead of races in Britain and Germany this year, becoming the first female driver to take part in a grand prix weekend in two decades.

“She has steadily increased her time behind the wheel since she joined us in April 2012,” deputy team principal Claire Williams said, “and her appointment as official test driver was a natural progression.”

The last British woman to drive an F1 car on a race track was Katherine Legge, who took the wheel of a Minardi at Vallelunga in Italy in 2005.