Image Credit: Randstad Canada

At the turn of the decade, 1950s Britain was hungry for entertainment. This was a time for recovery, and how better to heal the damage of WWII than by watching the newly established Formula One?

The first official Grand Prix was held at Silverstone, drawing 200,000 spectators. The podium boasted three wins for Alfa Romeo, with two Italians and one British man standing proud.

Since its beginnings 76 years ago, F1 has rapidly evolved, with 24 races in 21 countries and 35 different World Champions. The strategy, technology and physical requirements of motorsport have changed, alongside the exclusivity of such an expensive sport. Seven-time World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton continues to campaign for racial and class diversity in what he terms the ‘billionaires’ boys’ club’.

Despite its ongoing improvements, there is a cornerstone of diversity still not properly recognised: women.

Former racer Susie Wolff is a standout advocate for women in motorsport. She began her career in karting and worked her way to Formula Three in 2005. After competing for Mercedes-Benz in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, Wolff was signed as a Formula One development driver for Williams in 2012. In 2014, she became the first woman to take part in a Formula One race weekend in 22 years by participating in a practice session at Silverstone.

Since her retirement from motorsport in 2015, she has stayed close to the sport, working as an F1 analyst, Formula E Team Principal and CEO. However, it was in 2023 that her most important work began — as Managing Director of F1 Academy.

Financial issues and the COVID pandemic contributed to the lack of longevity in previous women’s racing seasons. In response, Formula One introduced F1 Academy to help young women transition from karting to single-seater racing.

These women have a long track ahead before they garner similar support to the F1 boys. However, it has been an incredibly wholesome experience seeing women uplifting women, with Charlotte Tilbury sponsoring the academy and Reese Witherspoon’s production company creating the docuseries, ‘F1: The Academy’.

Wolff’s commitment to the academy has proved to have a significant effect on perceptions of women in motorsport. With what she considers a ‘long-term project’, she has ensured all F1 teams are supporting a female driver and increased the number of cars from 15 to 18. Wolff has stressed the benefits of helping less experienced drivers begin their journey, better equipping them for the difficult road to F1.

Last season, seven countries hosted the Academy’s races, and the exposure provided by the Netflix docuseries has assured that the world is aware of women’s continuing fight to compete on the same stage as men.

There are continuing debates over women’s place in the sport. Are they good enough? Do they have the physical strength? Will they attract enough popularity?

Susie Wolff’s work ensures they at least have the chance to dare to try.