Wolff appointed team principal at Venturi
Ex-Williams Formula 1 test and reserve driver Susie Wolff has been appointed as the new team principal as well as becoming a shareholder at the Venturi Formula E Team.
Wolff, who retired from driving duties in 2015, has taken up the role with immediate effect. Her first weekend at the helm will be the double-header season four finale in New York in July.
She will then lead Venturi into the 2018/19 season which begins in Saudi Arabia in December.
“When I decided to stop as a professional driver in 2015, I knew that I wanted to continue with the challenge of competitive racing, just not behind the wheel,” said Wolff.
“You can’t just switch off your competitive instincts when you stop driving and that determination and desire to achieve still burn brightly inside me.
“I took time to carefully decide the right direction for that challenge and I have now found the perfect next step, with the opportunity to become both a shareholder and team principal of Venturi Formula E Team.
“Formula E is the perfect environment for this step into team management: it is full of potential, breaking the mould for traditional racing series, and the series is enjoying an exciting phase of expansion at the moment.
“I can’t wait to begin this next chapter in my racing career and to tackle all of the challenges ahead.”
Since retiring from racing, Wolff has established the Dare to be Different (D2BD) charity in which she encourages women’s involvement in motorsport.
However, her appointment at Venturi marks her first competitive role in motorsport since retirement.
“I am delighted to welcome Susie on board as Team Principal and shareholder,” said Venturi CEO Gildo Pastor.
“Her energy and expertise will help us to grow by strengthening the team and introducing a new approach to management.
“Thanks to her personal experience Susie takes a unique strategic view of the team, the championship and motor racing in general. She will certainly lead the Venturi Formula E Team to the top.”
Venturi has competed in FE since season one. The team has never won a race, with two-second place finishes as the best results.
The team has already signed 11-time F1 race winner Felipe Massa on a three-year deal starting with season five. His team-mate is still to be confirmed.