William’s test driver Susie Wolff says she can keep alive her trusts of turning into the first lady to race in Formula 1 for a long time. The 32-year-old had her first excursion by and by this year at the Spanish Grand Prix on Friday. She was 0.8 seconds off the pace of partner Felipe Massa.
“If I did not think I was capable of racing at this level I would be the first to take myself out of the game. I 100% believe a woman can compete at this level” Wolff said.
Scotland’s Wolff has conceded that Williams’ choice to name German Adrian Sutil as their store driver this season was a blow for her, and said for the current week that she felt she was “close, yet far away” from racing in F1. “I am in no way bitter about what has happened recently.
“Yes I was disappointed but this is a tough environment. The best drivers are fighting to get in here. We all bring something different to the table and we are all fighting for the same opportunities and there are so few opportunities. I was well aware it was going to be a tough fight and it is.” She said after the practice run which was taken place in Spain.
Sutil was delegated as store driver in front of Wolff in the wake of race driver Valtteri Bottas enduring a back damage that constrained him to miss the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Williams said one of the reasons was that Wolff does not have a ‘super-permit’ – the permit needed to contend in F1 races. Her next excursion in the auto will be in a test at the Red Bull Ring several days after the Austrian Grand Prix one month from now. She will then run in first practice at the British Grand Prix on 3 July. Wolff said she would not begin to consider conversing with Williams about their arrangements for 2016 until after her run at Silverstone.
“My frame of mind is to optimize every time I’m in the car, to learn as much as I can, to make sure I am always improving, doing what the team expect, and then see where that brings me, because it’s very difficult in this environment. I am close but I am very far away, I know that. Ultimately I was just so looking forward to being in the car this morning, because that is the best part and it speaks more than 1,000 words can.” said Wolff
