No matter how long you’ve been an F1 fan, you need to know who Susie Wolff is. She is the only female racer to compete on a racing weekend in the past thirty years she looked amazing doing it. Her passion for driving and Birkin bags is a life and love that many women wish to achieve. Throughout her life and career, Susie Wolff managed to create an incredible brand for herself. This brand has inspired and encouraged countless women to participate in motor sports across the world. 

Early Life

Suzanne Stoddart was born in December 1982 to her parents, John and Sally. Together, the family owned and operated a motorcycle shop where Susie developed her love of motor vehicles. As a young Scottish woman, Susie had very few role models in the racing industry. While this would cause many to feel hopeless or uncertain, it did not hinder her motivation to enter the highest level of motor sports. 

In 1990, she began her karting career. Then, six years later she was named British Woman Karting Racer of the year. Despite spending her entire life being compared to boys, Susie dedicated her time and energy to improving her abilities. Through this she built a strong image as the future of female driving. Nearing the turn of the century, Susie was named the Best Female Kart Driver in the world. This title acted as the catalyst for her career in formula racing. 

Racing Career

Susie Wolff continued to build upon her success by competing in the Formula Renault series. While on this level, Wolff was able to secure her first podium finish. This finish put her in contention for numerous awards for her talent as a driver, regardless of her gender. These discussions began the decades-long debate of women’s participation in motor sports. However, Susie’s success, demonstrated that women were capable of competing at the highest level of motor sport in the world. Furthermore, her ascent into Formula 3 and DTM further situated her position as both the best female driver in the world and a living icon for women in any male-dominated profession.  

Acknowledging this notion, Williams Formula One team signed Susie Wolff as a test driver in 2012. Her initial contract guaranteed her involvement in two free practice days, which situated her as the first female driver to race during an F1 racing weekend since the 1990s. Following a standout performance, her contract was promoted to include her on the testing rosters for the following seasons. In ending her Formula 1 career with Williams, Susie noted her success in the industry and ensured her support of young women participating on the track in the near future. 

Love Life

I enjoy nothing more than talking about women succeeding in motorsports, but I can’t turn down a great love story. We know Susie is a complete girl boss, but she is still a woman who fell in love. As we know, her maiden name is Stoddart, and the only man of note that we know with her married last name is none other than Toto Wolff! The Mercedes principal is rumored to have met Susie in 2006 during a race weekend. They spent five years getting to know one another, during which they began dating, and they were married in 2011. 

While in an interview at Harvard University, Toto Wolff stated, “My number one achievement is Susie marrying me.”

It is well known throughout the paddock that Toto was in full support of Susie. They were together through her ambitions as a driver and now that she has taken on a managerial role. Despite the cold exterior that the Mercedes principal often shows, he and Susie seem to be very loving towards each other. In 2017, Susie became a mother for the first time after giving birth to her son Jack. 

Current Job

Since her retirement from racing in 2015, Susie Wolff has held a number of roles. Her list of roles include those of Mercedes Brand Ambassador, Formula E principal, and Formula E CEO until she left Venturi racing in 2021. 

Similarly, Susie co-founded the organization Dare to be Different. This company aims to increase women’s participation in motor sports on all levels. As a woman who has held a plethora of positions in the field, Wolff believed that it was important to encourage women in all motor sport-related career fields. In addition to this role, Susie has been named as the managing director for Formula One’s newest division, F1 Academy. This series is unique because it will include exclusively female drivers. 

Read: ‘F1 Academy: What We Know‘ for more information on Susie Wolff and the new series

Susie Wolff acts as a role model for shaping the female future of the motor sports industry. Her actions have shown how she is dedicated to advancing the sport and giving women every opportunity to be involved. She displays some of the best women-helping-women energy that I have ever seen.

In an interview with The Herald, Susie was asked for her life motto, to which she responded: “Life is what you make it.” So far, she has lived up to this philosophy by pushing the boundaries of previous standards. She continues to live the life that she chooses rather than the one that is expected of her. 

Follow along as Susie Wolff and many other amazing women continue to take on the Formula 1 world! I will be posting regular updates on both Susie and many other incredible women in racing, so stay tuned!