Susie Wolff appointed managing director of F1 Academy

Formula 1 has announced that Susie Wolff has been appointed as the managing director of the sport's new all-female F1 Academy series.

The Formula 4-level series, which will feature a fifteen-car grid and seven race weekends in 2023, has been created to help develop young female drivers for the upper echelons of international single-seater racing.

A former DTM racer and development driver for Williams, Wolff enjoyed her first managerial role as the team principal of the Monaco-based Venturi team in Formula E.

Formula 1 says that Wolff's appointment will provide the F1 Academy's drivers and teams with "a strong strategic approach combined with a unique insight that will enhance the structure we are putting in place to support the fifteen F1 Academy drivers through this journey".

As managing director, Wolff will report directly to Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and 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".

"It is fantastic news that Susie Wolff is joining the F1 Academy as Managing Director," said Domenicali.

"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."

• Read also: F1 Academy 2023 calendar and format revealed

"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," added the 40-year-old wife of Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff.

"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."

FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 general manager manager Bruno Michel, will run the operational side of things for the F1 Academy series, liaising with all the teams relating to technical and sporting matters while also reporting to Domenicali.

The F1 Academy will kick off its 2023 season in April with an official test at the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona, after which the championship will begin at the end of April in Spielberg, Austria.

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