Williams test driver Susie Wolff admits she still feels “very far away” from landing a Formula One seat, although she will make her third FP1 appearance during this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
The 32-year-old saw her status within the Grove-based squad progress over the winter when she was promoted from a development driver position to an official test role, with reigning GP3 Series Alex Lynn filling in her former post.
Following her grand prix weekend debut last year, Wolff spent one day behind the wheel of the new FW37 during the second pre-season test of 2015 and will be back in action at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this Friday.
The ex-DTM driver is also scheduled to feature on both in-season tests, which are respectively taking place after the Spanish and Austrian events, and will have another free practice outing at Silverstone in early July.
However, when Valtteri Bottas injured his lower back during qualifying in Australia, Williams was quick to appoint former Force India and Sauber racer Adrian Sutil as their official reserve driver should they need to replace the Finn.
While Wolff feels ready to race, she also acknowledges Sutil’s hiring underlines her current status.
“I have performed in the car, I have shown I am capable, I'm in a very competitive team, I drive a car which is capable of podium positions,” she told news agency Reuters.
“So I do feel very, very close [to a race seat] but in the same respect very far away.
“Because when they announced Sutil as the reserve at Williams, that was a clear sign that 'Yes, you're close but you are also still very far away'.”
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