Susie Wolff is convinced it's possible to put a women in Formula 1, but the F1 Academy boss warns that it's going "to take time" to realise that objective.
Formula 1 announced earlier this month that Wolff had been appointed as the managing director of the new all-female junior series that has been created to help develop young female racers for the upper echelons of international single-seater racing.
A former racer in her own right and the last female driver to take part in an official free practice session during a Grand Prix weekend – in Germany in 2014, Wolff knows all about the difficulties and challenges that await young female competitors who wish to carve their way through the ranks of motorsport's junior categories.
"I've been in those shoes racing at an international karting level wondering how am I going to make the step-up into junior formula, because it is a huge step to make and that's why I think F1 Academy will be a destination for those young girls," Wolff told Sky Sports News.
"I think the amount of track time, the fact that you're with some of the top junior formula teams means that you're on a great trajectory to starting your formula single-seater career and making the progression.
"That track time and that support network is going to be valuable for them to get the best out of themselves and really try and make the step up the ladder."
Five female drivers – Maria Teresa de Filippis, Lella Lombardi, Divina Galica, Desiré Wilson and Giovanna Amati – have entered at least one Grand Prix in the sport's history.
But only two – de Filippis and Lombardi – ever made it to the grid.
Lella Lombardi
Although Wolff is convinced that new names can be added to that very limited list, the 41-year-old spouse of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff warns that "expectations must be managed".
"I know that it's possible for a woman to race at this level and from that perspective, that experience is so important, especially handing down that experience to the next generation," added the Scot.
"I think being in the paddock and with the full support of F1 behind the F1 Academy, it means we have all the right people and the decision makers looking and supporting us to make sure that when there is a talent coming through.
Maria Teresa de Filippis (©Imago)
"We need to manage expectations. It's going to take time. It's about increasing the talent pool, raising awareness and inspiring the next generation to come and to make this sport more accessible for those that want to enter.
"It's definitely going to take a few years. I think we can have some real success in the short term, but to find a successful girl racing in Formula One, we need to think mid to long term, and that means we've got to be patient."
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