Susie Wolff, present managing director of the F1 Academy, was born with a ardour for motorsport. “I feel it’s at all times been in my DNA,” she stated in an extended chat with Gunther Steiner on *The Purple Flag Podcast* on YouTube.
Talking about her childhood, spent in karting from a younger age, “If I wished to experience a bike, I simply did it,” Toto’s spouse mentioned at size her position within the F1 Academy and the tasks it entails.
“I need to break these preconceptions that motorsport is only for boys or that should you’re a lady and like motorsport, you need to be a tomboy. I hope to interrupt down these prejudices as a result of these days there are such a lot of girls who comply with this sport, and it doesn’t should be only for males,” she defined.
Why is it so tough for a lady to achieve Components 1? In accordance with Susie Wolff, the most important problem lies within the lack of position fashions to look as much as.
“On this sport, we put on a helmet, so that you don’t know who’s beneath – whether or not a person or a lady. I’ve discovered that efficiency issues. Everybody can have an opinion, there’ll at all times be those that help you and those that oppose you. However should you actually go on monitor and do your greatest, it doesn’t matter should you’re a lady or a boy. It doesn’t matter what the newspapers say as a result of efficiency is what counts. I’ve at all times centered on that. However racing additionally includes monetary obstacles since you want sponsors to help you. That’s why it turns into very tough and demanding.”
Will the F1 Academy have the prospect to draw a bigger viewers due to the Netflix docuseries popping out subsequent yr? “I really feel privileged to steer the F1 Academy as a result of I’ve accomplished the identical factor these ladies are doing. I do know what the difficulties are, I understand how arduous it’s, and that’s why I relate to them a lot. There are folks on this subject who attempt to inform me what to do, and I maintain again from responding: To start with, have you ever ever pushed a automobile? No. Second, are you girls? No. So don’t inform me that’s how issues are, since you don’t know. You don’t have the attitude of being a lady on this sport.”
In accordance with Susie Wolff, the most important problem is firmly believing within the F1 Academy mission and the alternatives it may possibly present to aspiring feminine drivers. “I imagine that if we do properly, this class can have a big impact on the game. It gained’t occur in a single day that we’ll have a lady on the Components 1 grid,” she admitted.
Nevertheless, if there’s extra collective participation, as is already occurring with Components 1 groups supporting 10 ladies from the class, there will probably be higher visibility.
“There are proficient girls on this sport, even when we don’t typically see them, however we handle to note them. And it’s essential to indicate the world on the market that there are alternatives for them. That’s what our present on Netflix can do: break down obstacles and the notion that it’s only a male-dominated trade. The F1 Academy exists as a result of the game has created alternatives.”
Has Susie Wolff ever considered giving up? “There are days once I take into consideration how powerful it’s. Then I feel that if I don’t face this problem, if I don’t push the F1 Academy in the precise route, who will?”
Susie Wolff additionally revealed that Ferrari was the primary F1 workforce to get onboard with the F1 Academy:
🚨| Susie Wolff reveals Ferrari was the primary F1 workforce to get onboard with F1 Academy :
“…i acquired Ferrari onboard – they have been the primary…”
📹 snippet from @TheRedFlags_Pod | #F1 pic.twitter.com/ufPiObcZpa
— sim (@sim3744) October 4, 2024
Supply: f1ingenerale
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
