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Sweat and tears - Susie Wolff's F1 practice debut comes to an abrupt end

Published by Christine

Susie Wolff's F1 practice debut comes to an abrupt end
Glenn Dunbar/Williams F1

Susie Wolff made her F1 practice debut for Williams at Silverstone, but completed only 4 laps before the car stopped out on track with a terminal engine problem. Wolff became the first woman for 22 years to participate in an official F1 weekend session, but was left disappointed after only managing a minimum of track time.

Afterwards, Wolff climbed from the car a little emotional at the way sport can be unfair, but stoically faced the media and talked of her brief time in the car.

"It was a great feeling driving out of the garage. When I had my helmet on, it was just me and the car. I knew what I had to do and the car felt great. It was only one and a half flying laps but these things happen, I have another session in Hockenheim that I now have to work towards. Every time I step in the car, there is something to learn, so there are a few positives to take from today."

Deputy team principal Claire Williams felt for the development driver, but has faith in what Wolff can do at the next round in Germany.

"She's put in a huge amount of work; she has really put blood, sweat and tears into what she was going to do today, so for her to have had that happen shows life and F1 can be cruel sometimes. She will bounce back and is already focusing on getting back in the car in Germany. The most important thing is that she didn't do anything wrong today, it was something wrong with the car."