Susie Wolff’s journey in motorsport is nothing short of inspiring—and infuriating. It’s a story of relentless determination in a world that often seemed determined to keep her out. From racing against Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg as a teenager to her unyielding, yet unfulfilled, quest to become a Formula One driver, Wolff’s path has been marked by both triumph and isolation. But here’s where it gets controversial: her experiences shed light on the deep-seated sexism and inequality that still linger in the sport—and the progress that’s finally being made.
‘There was a profound loneliness in karting and single-seaters,’ Wolff reflects. ‘No one else was going through what I was.’ Her new memoir, Driven, pulls no punches in detailing the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field. ‘After the #MeToo movement, it’s easy to forget how things were before,’ she notes. ‘But hearing the way boys talked about girls in the paddock made me vow I’d never be spoken about like that. I realized I’d have to be whiter than white to survive unscathed.’
Wolff’s turning point came when she met her husband, Toto. ‘I couldn’t open up to anyone until him,’ she admits. But she’s quick to add, ‘I’m relieved the next generation won’t face the same isolation. The F1 Academy, which I’ve led since 2023, fosters camaraderie among young female drivers. They have role models and support—something I never had.’
And this is the part most people miss: Wolff’s role as managing director of the F1 Academy isn’t just about creating opportunities for women in racing; it’s about dismantling the barriers she faced. ‘I can’t believe how many young girls are in karting now,’ she marvels. ‘When I started, I was often the only one. Now, they’re not just competing—they’re racing for podiums.’
But progress doesn’t come without pushback. Wolff’s memoir reveals moments of outright hostility, like the time a boy deliberately crashed into her kart because he couldn’t overtake her. ‘I had to toughen up,’ she says. ‘Being fast wasn’t enough. I had to find an aggression that didn’t come naturally.’
Here’s the controversial part: Wolff’s success wasn’t just about talent—it was about navigating a system that constantly undermined her. From sponsors pressuring her to conform to girly stereotypes to the insecurity of balancing femininity and professionalism, her journey raises uncomfortable questions. ‘Why should a woman have to choose between being seen as a racer and being herself?’ she asks.
One of the most harrowing moments in her book details a late-night encounter with a powerful figure in F1 who banged on her hotel door, demanding to see her. ‘It was terrifying,’ she recalls. ‘I was lucky he didn’t get in, but it’s a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities women face.’
Wolff’s fight extends beyond her own career. Her legal battle with the FIA, after a baseless conflict of interest investigation, highlights the challenges of challenging the status quo. ‘It was absurd,’ she says. ‘But I won’t back down. The F1 Academy is too important.’
As we wrap up, Wolff shares a moment of hope. ‘My son Jack recently raced against a girl named Greta,’ she says. ‘The boys didn’t see her as ‘the girl’—they saw her as a competitor, a potential winner. That’s progress.’
But here’s the question that lingers: Will the motorsport world fully embrace this shift, or will old biases continue to hold women back? Wolff’s story isn’t just hers—it’s a call to action for all of us. What do you think? Is the sport ready for a 50-50 split between male and female drivers, or is there still too much resistance?
Driven by Susie Wolff (Hodder & Stoughton, £25) is available now. To support the Guardian, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com.
