Susie Wolff appointed Managing Director of F1 Academy to help develop female motorsport talent.

Susie Wolff has been named as the managing director of the F1 Academy, an all-female series aimed at helping women drivers progress through motorsport.

In her new capacity as managing director of F1 Academy - the new all female racing series set to debut in 2023 - Wolff will report to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali alongside FIA F2 and F3 boss Bruno Michel.

Wolff will be responsible for spearheading the development of female motorsport talent with a focus on creating a successful pathway to higher categories in the F1 pyramid.

Wolff said “The F1 Academy presents an opportunity to promote genuine change in our industry by creating the best possible structure to find and nurture female talent on their journey to the elite levels of motorsport, both on and off the racetrack,”

"There is a lot of work to be done but there is also a clear determination to get this right. In doing so, I believe the F1 Academy can represent something beyond racing. It can inspire women around the world to follow their dreams and realise that with talent, passion and determination, there is no limit to what they can achieve.

“This is also the start of an important new chapter in my career, combining the experience I have developed so far with my passion for diversity and empowerment, so I would like to thank Stefano for entrusting me with a role that means as much to me personally as it does professionally.”

Wolff has a wealth of experience in motor racing as a professional driver, team leader and advocate for greater participation for women in all levels of motorsport. This includes previously being the Williams F1 Racing team development driver, racing in DTM and Formula Renault and leading the VENTURI Formula E team as Team Principal.

In 2016, Wolff also launched Dare To Be Different, a call to action aimed squarely at driving female talent by inspiring the next generation and increasing female participation in all levels and aspects of motorsport.

The inaugural season for the F1 Academy was announced last week and will include seven rounds starting on April 28-9 in Spielberg, Austria and ending as a support series at the Lenovo United States Grand Prix in Austin on October 20-22.

Domenicali added: “It is fantastic news that Susie Wolff is joining the F1 Academy as managing director.

“Susie is an incredible person who understands what it takes to reach the highest levels of motorsport, both as a driver and team principal.

“She has a wealth of experience and first-hand knowledge that will be of huge benefit to all of us and the drivers who are on their journey to progress through the racing pyramid.

“We are committed to maximising the opportunities in our sport for anyone to reach their true potential and achieve their dreams and we believe F1 Academy is a very important part of our plans to be a more diverse and inclusive sport.”