Oban-born Susie Wolff new Williams F1 test driver

Susie Wolff: Test driver role. Picture: Getty

Susie Wolff has been promoted to the role of official test driver for the Williams team for the 2015 Formula 1 
season.

Stepping up from her previous role as development driver, the Oban-born driver takes over from Felipe Nasr, who will be driving for the Sauber team 
next season.

The 31-year-old will take part in two first practice sessions at races to be determined, plus two test days, as well as conducting extensive simulator testing to help in the ongoing development of the team’s cars.

It also means that, if Valtteri Bottas or Felipe Massa were to miss a race for any reason, the Scot would be first choice to step into the seat.

Earlier this year, Wolff became the first female driver to take part in a grand prix weekend for two decades when she drove in first practice for the races in Britain and Germany.

Prior to that, she had done a day’s test in Barcelona in May.

Those experiences will have helped prepare her for her most recent promotion.

Speaking about her new role, Wolff said: “This is another step in the right direction for me.

“I am delighted Williams are recognising my progression, hard work and it is performance that counts.

“Williams is at a very exciting stage in its history and we are moving into 2015 with fantastic momentum. I’m proud to be part of the team.”

Deputy team principal Claire Williams feels that Wolff is deserving of the role on merit.

She said: “She [Wolff] continues to impress us with her strong technical knowledge, the feedback she delivers and the performance when she drives the car both on the track and in the simulator.

“She has steadily increased her time behind the wheel since she joined us in April 2012 and her appointment as official test driver was a natural progression.

“We have a very strong and stable driver line-up for 2015 and this will be a key asset as we look to build on a positive 2014 season.”

Williams’ outing at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone ended disappointingly for Wolff after less than a lap when her car 
suffered engine failure.

However, at Hockenheim in Germany, she managed to complete a full session.

She finished with an impressive time just 0.227 seconds slower than race driver Felipe Massa, an 11-time grand prix 
winner.

Wolff is expected to be the prime driver for the Williams team during tests, other than the race drivers Massa and Valtteri Bottas.