Women in the Formula 1 cockpit: The great void according to Susie Wolff

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It was almost a sensation. In 2014, the Williams team announced that test pilot Susie Wolff (40) would be deployed for two free Formula 1 training sessions. The fast woman married current Mercedes boss Toto in 2011.

For the first time since 1992 and Giovinna Amati, a woman was allowed to step into the Grand Prix spotlight again. The now 64-year-old Italian failed to qualify three times in the Brabham-Judd. But Wolff was only registered for the first training at Silverstone and the Hockenheimring. In England the engine quickly broke down, but in Germany, where she replaced Bottas for 90 minutes, she caused a stir with a 15th place out of 22, just 0.2 seconds behind teammate Massa. In 2015, the Scot was able to participate in further free training and testing. At the end of the season, Ms. Wolff announced her resignation in disappointment: “It’s not going any further!”

Teams are not interested in women

And since then there has been radio silence when it comes to the subject of women in Formula 1. And unfortunately it will remain that way for a long time, because the ten teams are not seriously interested in really supporting a fast female racer. Okay, some teams have admitted women to their academies, but when it comes to a Friday mission (two are required per team), names like Bearman, Vesti, Hadjar or Doohan come to the fore. And despite his big name and twelve World Cup points, Schumi must be happy that Mercedes still keeps him as a replacement driver in the business of largely unfulfilled expectations. He will probably flee to Le Mans in 2024.

And the women who dream of Formula 1 (and loudly proclaim it) are being dragged into reality. Shame. Fortunately, the women’s problem at the Indy 500 is not well perceived. They are welcome, just like the Swiss Simona de Silvestro once was.

Source : Blick