Scottish racing driver Susie Wolff successfully completed her first F1 test for the Williams team.
She became the first woman to drive an F1 car since Maria de Villota's accident in July. She also revealed she has been in contact with Maria as the Spaniard continues her recovery.
She said "She told me to drive for us both now, that I would be out there representing us both. I had Maria's star on my helmet. It's with pride I have that and without doubt I was driving for the two of us."
"After the publicity surrounding Maria's accident without doubt I felt an extra need to go out there, do a good job and show that her accident was a freak one-off and it doesn't generalise women in motorsport."
Wolff tested the 2011 Williams on Wednesday, on the International Silverstone circuit. This circuit configuration uses the Club and Stowe corners, as well as the Hangar Straight. The test was restricted to 100km of running due to the test restrictions in F1.
Susie's current role with the team is as their development driver, and juggles F1 commitments with a career driving in the DTM series. She said the test had been a lifetime ambition of hers.
"It was emotional, I've spent a long time preparing for this day, dreaming of this day, and it's finally here." She said. The last female racing driver to test an F1 car on a circuit was Brit Katherine Legge, who drove a Minardi in 2005.
The main aim of the test was to familiarise Wolff with the car and the handling. She has spent numerous hours in the simulator, getting ready for the real thing.
She said "The feeling of driving that car on the track for the first time was just incredible, on the first lap, I thought my helmet was going to fly off the G-force was so much."
Susie is the wife of Williams shareholder and director Toto Wolff and was realistic on her short term future at the team. She said "Today was a good step forward for me to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time, but I'm not going to run before I can walk.
"I have to show the team today I am capable, can do the job well and hopefully get more opportunities to drive the car. You cannot underestimate how talented the drivers are on the Formula 1 grid, and how on the limit they are. It's an incredible level.
"For me the journey is just starting, my first time in the car and let's see where that takes me."
Williams stayed at the Silverstone circuit for Thursday, where Formula 2 champion Luciano Bacheta took to the circuit as a reward for winning the championship.
Bacheta took the championship win at the final weekend of the season, at the legendary Monza track. His running on Thursday was split into 5 sessions, with the opening two taking place on a tricky damp track.
He said on the test "Today's gone very well for me. I've had a good mix of wet and dry running which has been a perfect way to learn how the car works and adapts. Just to be around a team like Williams is a special experience and I've gained so much from the day.
"I'm still taking it all in and I am sure that it won't be until I go away and reflect that I'll realise quite how brilliant it was. The car is just a pleasure to drive, better than anything I've driven before, so I'd love to have some more experience of Formula One in the future."
| (c) Williams F1 Team |
She said "She told me to drive for us both now, that I would be out there representing us both. I had Maria's star on my helmet. It's with pride I have that and without doubt I was driving for the two of us."
She added "She is an incredible
lady. Before you even talk about her as a racing driver, she is an
incredible person, an inspiration.
"After the publicity surrounding Maria's accident without doubt I felt an extra need to go out there, do a good job and show that her accident was a freak one-off and it doesn't generalise women in motorsport."
Wolff tested the 2011 Williams on Wednesday, on the International Silverstone circuit. This circuit configuration uses the Club and Stowe corners, as well as the Hangar Straight. The test was restricted to 100km of running due to the test restrictions in F1.
Susie's current role with the team is as their development driver, and juggles F1 commitments with a career driving in the DTM series. She said the test had been a lifetime ambition of hers.
"It was emotional, I've spent a long time preparing for this day, dreaming of this day, and it's finally here." She said. The last female racing driver to test an F1 car on a circuit was Brit Katherine Legge, who drove a Minardi in 2005.
The main aim of the test was to familiarise Wolff with the car and the handling. She has spent numerous hours in the simulator, getting ready for the real thing.
She said "The feeling of driving that car on the track for the first time was just incredible, on the first lap, I thought my helmet was going to fly off the G-force was so much."
Susie is the wife of Williams shareholder and director Toto Wolff and was realistic on her short term future at the team. She said "Today was a good step forward for me to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time, but I'm not going to run before I can walk.
"I have to show the team today I am capable, can do the job well and hopefully get more opportunities to drive the car. You cannot underestimate how talented the drivers are on the Formula 1 grid, and how on the limit they are. It's an incredible level.
"For me the journey is just starting, my first time in the car and let's see where that takes me."
Williams stayed at the Silverstone circuit for Thursday, where Formula 2 champion Luciano Bacheta took to the circuit as a reward for winning the championship.
Bacheta took the championship win at the final weekend of the season, at the legendary Monza track. His running on Thursday was split into 5 sessions, with the opening two taking place on a tricky damp track.
He said on the test "Today's gone very well for me. I've had a good mix of wet and dry running which has been a perfect way to learn how the car works and adapts. Just to be around a team like Williams is a special experience and I've gained so much from the day.
"I'm still taking it all in and I am sure that it won't be until I go away and reflect that I'll realise quite how brilliant it was. The car is just a pleasure to drive, better than anything I've driven before, so I'd love to have some more experience of Formula One in the future."
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