Susie Wolff: F1 trailblazer reveals terrifying encounter and inspiring journey in new book Driven

Susie Wolff, the Oban-born motorsport pioneer and Managing Director of the F1 Academy, has opened up about her extraordinary journey in her newly released autobiography Driven. The 42-year-old, who made history as the first woman in over 20 years to take part in a Formula One race weekend, shares not just the triumphs of her career but also a deeply personal and harrowing experience that shaped her perspective on women in motorsport.

From Oban to Formula One Stardom

Born and raised in Oban, Scotland, Susie Wolff, then Susie Stoddart, grew up in a motorsport-loving family that encouraged her early racing ambitions. Competing in karts and bikes from a young age, she quickly gained a reputation for her speed and determination, often outperforming male competitors.

However, breaking into the male-dominated world of Formula One came with challenges. In 2014, she made history at the British Grand Prix, becoming the first female driver in 22 years to participate in an official F1 race weekend. Her trailblazing performance opened doors for women in motorsport and inspired a new generation of female racers.

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A Powerful Voice for Women in Motorsport

Today, Susie Wolff is the Managing Director of the F1 Academy, an all-female racing series launched to develop and prepare young women drivers for professional competition. Under her leadership, the series has grown rapidly, attracting global attention and Netflix documentary coverage.

Her mission, Wolff says, is to ensure that young girls “dare to dream” of careers in motorsport, whether as drivers, engineers, or team leaders. “If I can do it, anybody can do it,” she said. “You just have to believe in yourself and be tenacious enough to keep going.”

The Shocking Hotel Room Incident That Changed Everything

In her autobiography Driven, Wolff recounts a terrifying 2007 encounter with “one of the most powerful men in Formula One.” After attending a Hugo Boss party, she returned to her hotel room, only to receive repeated phone calls at 2 a.m. from the man, who then tried to enter her room.

“I was shaking, terrified,” she writes. “I wedged a chair under the door handle and sat on the edge of my bed, thinking, ‘What am I going to do if that door opens?’”

The man later apologized, but Wolff says the experience left her shaken, and aware of the dangers women face even in professional settings. “That’s the part that’s so particular to the female experience, how quickly we’re made to question our safety,” she told The Times.

Now, she believes Formula One has made progress. “If something like that happened today, a woman could speak up and be heard. That’s a huge step forward,” she added.

A Partnership Beyond the Track

Susie’s personal life has also been intertwined with motorsport. She’s married to Toto Wolff, the billionaire Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team principal, and the couple share a son. Despite their high-profile careers, she insists their relationship is refreshingly real.

“Toto drives me mad sometimes,” she joked. “He’s late for everything, and I’m obsessively organized. But he’s also my biggest supporter, and we challenge each other constantly.”

Their marriage, she says, is built on mutual respect and shared ambition, with both championing diversity and integrity in the sport.

Why Driven Is More Than a Motorsport Memoir

Susie’s new book isn’t just a story of speed and success, it’s an honest account of resilience, sexism, and self-belief. From childhood races in the Scottish Highlands to facing prejudice on the global stage, Wolff’s story is one of perseverance and courage.

“You can be strong, feminine, and successful all at once,” she said. “It’s not a choice between pink and power, you can do both.”

Driven is available now via Hodder & Stoughton, and early reviews have praised it as “raw, real, and deeply empowering.”

FAQ on Susie Wolff

1. Who is Susie Wolff?

Susie Wolff is a former Formula One test driver and the current Managing Director of the F1 Academy. She is also the wife of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and author of the autobiography Driven.

2. What is Susie Wolff’s new book about?

Her autobiography Driven explores her life from growing up in Oban to competing in Formula One, facing sexism in motorsport, and promoting gender equality through the F1 Academy.

3. What incident did Susie Wolff reveal in her book?

In Driven, Wolff recounts a 2007 incident where a powerful figure in Formula One tried to enter her hotel room after a party, describing the experience as “terrifying.”

4. How has Formula One changed since that incident?

Wolff says the sport has improved in how it handles misconduct and now provides safer spaces and stronger reporting channels for women.

5. When did Susie Wolff compete in Formula One?

She made history in 2014 by participating in Free Practice 1 at the British Grand Prix, becoming the first woman in 22 years to take part in an official F1 weekend.

6. What is the F1 Academy?

The F1 Academy is an all-female racing series launched to train and develop young women drivers. It is managed by Susie Wolff and supported by Formula One.

7. Who is Susie Wolff married to?

She is married to Toto Wolff, the Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.

8. What message does Susie Wolff share with young women?

Her core message is self-belief: “If I can do it, anyone can do it. Dream big, stay determined, and don’t let anyone define your limits.”

9. What does Susie Wolff say about balancing family and career?

Wolff emphasizes that women shouldn’t have to choose between motherhood and ambition. She continues to advocate for better representation and support for working women in motorsport.

10. Where can readers buy Driven by Susie Wolff?

The book is published by Hodder & Stoughton and available through major retailers, including Amazon, Waterstones, and WHSmith.