Susie Wolff ‘massively disappointed’ after lasting only four laps on full F1 debut

Wolff only lasted four laps on her full Formula One debutThe 31-year-old is the first female driver to step into an F1 cockpit during a Grand Prix weekendThe Scot lasted 20 minutes of the session after a oil-pressure problemWilliams driver ended the session nine seconds down on Nico Rosberg

By Phil Duncan for the Daily Mail

Published: 16:21 BST, 4 July 2014 | Updated: 17:21 BST, 4 July 2014

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Susie Wolff has expressed her disappointment at completing only four laps on her full Formula One debut.

The 31-year-old Briton became the first female driver to step into an F1 cockpit during a grand prix weekend in more than two decades when she took part in the opening practice session at Silverstone on Friday morning.

Out: Williams’ Susie Wolff was massively disappointed with the way she retired in the opening practice

History: The 31-year-old became the first female driver to step into an F1 cockpit during a grand prix weekend

But Wolff lasted just 20 minutes of the one hour-and-a-half session before grinding to a halt on track with an oil-pressure problem.

She completed just four laps and ended the session almost nine seconds down on championship leader Nico Rosberg in his Mercedes.

‘It is a massive disappointment,’ said Wolff. ‘On the one side, we had such a good build-up to this weekend; obviously I had put in so much hard work, so much preparation to get ready for today and I knew exactly what I had to do on every lap out there.

Sad end: Marshals remove the car of Scottish driver Wolff after an oil-pressure problem

‘It felt good – even the out lap – but that is racing, and I have known from over the years, that there can be massive ups and massive downs.’

Breaking the norm: Wolff is the first woman in 22 years to take part in F1 practice

Wolff will be handed another chance at the wheel of the WIlliams during practice for the German Grand Prix later this month, but the Briton insists there won’t be added pressure on her to impress despite her horror show at Silverstone.

‘It is very, very disappointing, but I have still got Hockenheim, and I have to go out and show what I can do because I did not get the chance to do that today,’ she added.

‘There isn’t extra pressure. It is about having the same approach, being well prepared and knowing exactly what I have to do.

‘You can’t expect to be on the grid unless you show that you are good enough to be there. Until I have done a good job in Hockenheim then I am not willing to say too much about the future.’

Toto Wolff, husband to Susie, and shareholder at Williams, was seen dining in the British team’s new motorhome during lunch on Friday.

‘He has been very suppoportive and I am incredibly lucky in that sense,’ Wolff said of her husband, and executive director at Mercedes.

‘He is my biggest supporter, but also my biggest critic. He knew that I had to go out there and do a good job today and there was no chance of messing it up. He is quite sad that I didn’t get to show it.’

Go again: Wolff will be handed another chance at the wheel of the WIlliams in practice for the German GP

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