Williams F1 test driver Susie Wolff has announced that she will retire from competitive motorsport at the end of the 2015 season.
Her journey to F1 started at the age of eight in karting, before the move up to Formula Renault. After a brief taste of Formula 3, she switched to the DTM series with Mercedes in 2006.
Wolff spent seven seasons in the touring car championship and was appointed a development driver at the Williams F1 team in 2012. She held the same role in 2013 and 2014, before being promoted to a test driver for this season.
At last year's British GP she became the first female in two decades to compete in a session on a race weekend, driving in FP1.
The 32-year-old has enjoyed several other first practice outings and tests with Williams but she has decided that, after the Race of Champions later this month, she will hang up her helmet.
"I’d like to thank Williams for the opportunity they have given me over the last few years which has allowed me to achieve my dream of driving a Formula 1 car," she said in a statement released by Williams.
"It has been great to work with everyone at the team, both at Grove and trackside, and I’d like to thank everyone who has been part of my journey at Williams. I am now closing this chapter but looking forward to new challenges in the future."
Claire Williams, deputy team principal at Williams, added: "It has been a pleasure to work with Susie over the years and see her develop as a driver within the team. Her feedback and knowledge of the car has been an important part our recent development and we will be sorry to see her go.
"We want to thank her for all her efforts and wish her the very best for her future endeavours. We will of course be supporting both Susie and Felipe at the Race of Champions, and hope Susie has a great weekend to mark the last time we see her race."
This article first appeared on Richland F1.
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| © Williams Martini Racing |
Wolff spent seven seasons in the touring car championship and was appointed a development driver at the Williams F1 team in 2012. She held the same role in 2013 and 2014, before being promoted to a test driver for this season.
At last year's British GP she became the first female in two decades to compete in a session on a race weekend, driving in FP1.
The 32-year-old has enjoyed several other first practice outings and tests with Williams but she has decided that, after the Race of Champions later this month, she will hang up her helmet.
"I’d like to thank Williams for the opportunity they have given me over the last few years which has allowed me to achieve my dream of driving a Formula 1 car," she said in a statement released by Williams.
"It has been great to work with everyone at the team, both at Grove and trackside, and I’d like to thank everyone who has been part of my journey at Williams. I am now closing this chapter but looking forward to new challenges in the future."
Claire Williams, deputy team principal at Williams, added: "It has been a pleasure to work with Susie over the years and see her develop as a driver within the team. Her feedback and knowledge of the car has been an important part our recent development and we will be sorry to see her go.
"We want to thank her for all her efforts and wish her the very best for her future endeavours. We will of course be supporting both Susie and Felipe at the Race of Champions, and hope Susie has a great weekend to mark the last time we see her race."
This article first appeared on Richland F1.
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