Who Is Susie Wolff and What Drives Her Career
Susie Wolff is a former racing driver and current managing director of the F1 Academy, the all-female single-seater series launched by the Formula 1 commercial rights holder to develop young women drivers into professional racers. She previously competed in the DTM and served as managing director of the F1 Academy and a managing director at the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, focusing on driver pathways, sponsorship, and operational strategy. Her career is often described as driven by Susie Wolff because she moved from competitive racing to senior leadership roles shaping talent pipelines and commercial programs in global motorsport.
Before her current role, Wolff raced in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Mercedes-Benz, became the first woman to score points in the DTM since 1996, and led the all-female Venturi Racing team in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. She also founded the Dare to Be Different initiative, later integrated into the F1 Academy ecosystem, to encourage girls into motorsport and STEM careers. These milestones show how her leadership is driven by Susie Wolff through a focus on performance, inclusion, and structured development programs.
Susie Wolff’s Leadership and Business Influence
As managing director of the F1 Academy, Wolff oversees driver selection, race calendars, team partnerships, and commercial strategy across multiple countries, working closely with Formula 1 and national motorsport authorities. The F1 Academy is the direct feeder series to the W Series successor pathway and collaborates with teams such as MP Motorsport, Campos Racing, and Rodin Carlin to provide seats for young female drivers transitioning from karting and F4 championships.
Her business influence extends into board roles and advisory positions linked to motorsport organizations and sponsors seeking credible female leadership in a historically male-dominated industry. Wolff’s approach is driven by Susie Wolff as a data-informed, performance-oriented leadership model that balances commercial growth with measurable diversity outcomes, including increased female participation in feeder series and media coverage.
Key Facts, Figures, and Current Status
The F1 Academy launched its first season in 2023 with seven rounds across Europe and the Middle East, featuring a grid of 15 to 20 drivers per season and partnerships with teams such as ART Grand Prix and Prema Racing. The series uses Tatuus F4-T421 cars and aims to provide a clear, professional pathway for women into Formula 2 and ultimately Formula 1, with several graduates already competing in F3 and regional Formula 4 championships.
Public reports and official announcements highlight Wolff’s role in securing title sponsors, managing broadcast partnerships, and coordinating with the FIA on safety and homologation standards for the F1 Academy cars. Her current focus is driven by Susie Wolff on scaling the series, improving retention rates for female drivers, and aligning the F1 Academy with the broader Formula 1 commercial structure under the leadership of the sport’s governing body and commercial rights holder.