Susie Wolff – Biography, Racing Career and F1 Academy Role

Who Is Susie Wolff?

Susie Wolff, born Suzanne Stoddart on 6 December 1982 in Oban, Scotland, is a former professional racing driver and the current Managing Director of F1 Academy, the all-female racing series launched by Formula 1. Her path from karting prodigy to executive leader marks one of the most unusual transitions in modern motorsport.

Now 42 years old (as of 2025), Wolff balances her high-profile role with a personal life that places her at the centre of the sport’s power structure. She is married to Toto Wolff, CEO and Team Principal of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, and they have one son.

• Susie Wolff transitioned from a professional racing driver to a top-level executive in Formula 1, a rare path in the sport.
• Her memoir ‘DRIVEN’ became a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller, signaling high public interest in her story.
• She is married to Toto Wolff, CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, creating one of the most powerful partnerships in motorsport.
• As MD of F1 Academy, she drives the sport’s initiative to develop female racing talent.
• She was the first woman in 22 years to take part in a Formula 1 race weekend, driving in FP1 at the 2014 British Grand Prix.
• In 2017 she received an MBE for her services to women in sport.
• Her career spans karting, single-seaters, DTM, F1 testing, team management, and now series leadership.

What Was Susie Wolff’s Racing Career?

Wolff began karting at age eight and by 13 had been named British Kart Racing Driver of the Year. She was later ranked the top female kart driver in the world. In 1997 she won the 24-Hour Middle East Kart Championship and multiple Scottish junior titles.

Formula Renault and Formula 3

Between 2001 and 2002, she competed in Formula Renault UK, securing three podiums and twice nominated for the British Young Driver of the Year Award. She also had a brief stint in British Formula 3 before moving to touring cars.

DTM with Mercedes-Benz

From 2006 to 2012, Wolff raced in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) for Mercedes-Benz, establishing herself as a consistent competitor. Sources describe her as a top driver during that period.

Formula 1: Williams Development Driver

In 2012 she joined Williams Racing as a development driver. On 26 July 2014, during the British Grand Prix weekend, she became the first woman in 22 years to take part in an F1 race weekend, driving in FP1. That made her the first woman to drive an F1 car in 26 years. She retired from competitive driving in 2015.

What Is Susie Wolff’s Role in F1 Today?

Managing Director of F1 Academy

On 1 March 2023, Wolff was appointed Managing Director of F1 Academy, a series launched by Formula 1 to develop and prepare female drivers to progress to higher levels of competition. Her role involves building the structure for female talent to thrive, overseeing the championship’s growth and commercial partnerships.

Previous Leadership Roles

Before F1 Academy, Wolff led ROKiT Venturi Racing in Formula E. She joined as Team Principal and shareholder in 2018, became CEO in 2021, and guided the team to Vice-World Champions in 2022 – its most competitive season – before overseeing the team’s sale and departing the series.

Dare to Be Different and MBE

In 2016 she founded the initiative “Dare to Be Different” to encourage female participation in motorsport. A year later, she received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to women in sport.

What Is Susie Wolff’s Book ‘DRIVEN’ About?

Her memoir, Driven, provides an honest account of her journey through a male‑dominated industry. It became an instant Sunday Times Bestseller, and some sources also describe it as a New York Times bestseller. The book covers her karting origins, DTM years, F1 testing, and the challenges of balancing family and a pioneering career. (Note: publication dates vary; some promotional material lists an October 2025 release, but other sources confirm the book was published and achieved bestseller status earlier.)

Who Is Susie Wolff Married To?

Susie Wolff married Toto Wolff in October 2011. Toto Wolff is the CEO and Team Principal of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. They have one son, Jack, born in 2017. The couple lives in Monaco.

Her net worth is not publicly documented in exact figures. Given her roles as F1 Academy Managing Director, former CEO of Venturi Racing, her husband’s position, and book sales, estimates place her as a multi‑millionaire, though no official confirmation exists.

What Is the Timeline of Susie Wolff’s Career?

1. 1982 – Born in Oban, Scotland.
2. Early 2000s – Karting, then Formula Renault and British Formula 3.
3. 2006 – Joins Mercedes-Benz as a DTM driver.
4. 2012 – Becomes Williams F1 development driver.
5. 2014 – Drives in FP1 at the British Grand Prix, first woman in 22 years.
6. 2015 – Retires from competitive racing.
7. 2016 – Appointed Team Principal of Venturi Formula E team (later CEO).
8. 2017 – Awarded MBE; son Jack born.
9. 2023 – Appointed Managing Director of F1 Academy.
10. 2024/2025 – Publishes memoir Driven, which becomes a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller.

What Is Certain and Uncertain About Susie Wolff’s Life and Career?

What Does Susie Wolff’s Career Mean for Women in Motorsport?

Susie Wolff’s career represents a unique dual legacy: as a competitive driver in the male‑dominated DTM and F1 paddock, and as a transformative executive shaping the future of women’s participation in motorsport via F1 Academy. Her marriage to Toto Wolff adds a layer of influence and media interest, but her individual achievements stand separate. The success of her book Driven underscores a strong personal brand and storytelling ability that extends beyond the racetrack.

Which Sources Provide Reliable Information About Susie Wolff?

“She is widely recognized as a trailblazer for women in motorsport, transitioning from a groundbreaking driver to a transformative leader in the industry.”

— All American Speakers Bureau

Key references include the official Susie Wolff website, her Wikipedia page, the Instagram account @susie_wolff, her LinkedIn profile, and the F1 Academy official page. Formula 1’s own website also published a comprehensive career highlight article.

What Are the Key Takeaways About Susie Wolff?

Susie Wolff rose from Scottish karting champion to Williams F1 development driver, then built a second career as a motorsport executive. Today, as Managing Director of F1 Academy, she leads the sport’s most visible effort to develop female drivers. Her memoir Driven became a bestseller, confirming her influence extends well beyond the paddock. For more on other leading figures in motorsport, read our profiles on Adrian Newey – F1 Legend and Richard Hammond – Biography and Career.

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