Formula mum!
Scottish racing driver Susie puts brakes on career and says a ‘little Wolff’ is on the way
FOR years she has been living life in the fast lane.
But now Scots racing driver Susie Wolff has slowed down considerably – and has announced she is expecting her first child.
The 33-year-old, who has retired from competitive racing, revealed that a ‘little Wolff is on the way’.
The Oban-born race ace is married to Toto Wolff, the German manager of the Mercedes Formula 1 team, and their baby is due next April.
She had been bidding to become the first woman for 40 years to race in Formula 1 but gave up motorsport last year after saying her dream was not going to happen.
She was a development driver for Williams and had driven for the team during practice sessions at races.
Announcing her baby news to her 289,000 followers on Twitter, she said: ‘Some happy news, a little Wolff is on the way.’ Among those to send their best wishes was Andy Murray’s mother Judy, who said: ‘Ah congrats. A wolf family.’
Another follower, Jono Wood, wrote: ‘Congratulations to a fantastic couple, you’ll make great parents.’
Speaking in Austin, Texas, Mr Wolff, 44, confirmed the news.
He said: ‘Yes, it’s true. My wife Susie is pregnant and we are expecting our baby in April. Whether it is a boy or a girl, the main thing is that it is healthy.’
Mrs Wolff, now an F1 pundit on Channel 4, started working with Williams in 2012, after racing for seven years in the German Touring Car Championship.
An initial trial in the car developed into a full-time test and development role. She took part in four practice sessions at grands prix over the past two seasons, alongside work in test sessions and in the team’s simulator.
She met her husband on the race circuit in 2008 and they married three years later.
Last year, Mrs Wolff said she had no regrets about using her looks to try to fast-track her career.
The driver, who has posed in a number of revealing photoshoots, said: ‘I make no apology for having used gender as a unique selling point in my career. Why should a woman deny her femininity just to conform with the expectations of the racing world?
‘I’m a woman, I drive racing cars and if there’s an advantage in terms of finding sponsorship or support, then I will make the most of it.’