SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

Susie Wolff not disappointed with Williams role

Susie Wolff insists she is not disappointed she did not get promoted by Williams for the 2015 season.

Susie Wolff insists she is not disappointed she did not get promoted by Williams for the 2015 season.

Along with fellow F1 tester Simona de Silvestro, who works for Sauber, the 31-year-old Scot is the closest female driver to the F1 race grid.

Married to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, she travels the grand prix calendar with Williams, and this year made her official weekend debut with a couple of Friday morning appearances.

The Grove based team, however, has re-signed its race lineup of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa for 2015.

Asked if she was hoping to secure one of those seats, Wolff told Germany's Sport1: "No, not at all.

"I am very ambitious, but also realistic. Felipe and Valtteri have done a great job this year and it was clear that they would stay."

Former DTM driver Wolff, however, admitted that it remains her "goal" to race in F1 one day.

But she said she is happy with her Williams role for now.

"There are so many good drivers who are fighting for a chance in formula one, so I need to defend the place I have," said Wolff.

"If I wanted to fight for a single race, I might have to go somewhere else, but I don't because I'm very proud to be a part of Williams. And I want to stay with this team.

"I have been in the paddock for a while now and I know where there are opportunities and where there are not. And I don't see a better opportunity for me.

"Williams has made a big step forward this year and our goal is to be back fighting for the world championship soon. If I can be a part of that success, I would be very happy," Wolff added.

Meanwhile, as her husband Toto Wolff grapples to manage Mercedes' intra-team title duel, Susie tipped the war to rage on right until the last metres in 2014.

And she declined to say whether she thinks Nico Rosberg or Lewis Hamilton is the favourite.

"It's very hard to say," said Wolff. "Both are very different in their character and personality, but both have done a great job so far.

"I believe that it won't be decided until the last race."

(GMM)