It's been a busy year for Venturi Formula E Team. So far, it's founded a new Next Gen Academy, added Felipe Massa to the team sheet for Season 5 and announced it will be providing ABB FIA Formula E Championship newcomers HWA with a Venturi Gen2 car next season. But it doesn't stop there as today, the Monegasque team appointed former racing driver Susie Wolff as Team Principal and shareholder.
Taking up the position with immediate effect, Wolff will see the team through the doubleheader season-final in New York City on 14 and 15 July, on to the first race of Season 5 on 15 December 2018 in Saudi Arabia and beyond. After a successful career behind the wheel, joining Venturi marks the next step in Wolff's journey after she retired from driving in 2015 to set up the charity Dare to Be Different (D2BD). "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."
Starting off in competing in karting championships from the age of eight, Wolff eventually made her way into single-seaters in 2001 with Formula Renault. Within just four years, she made the jump to the British Formula 3 Championship before getting her break into the German Touring Car (DTM) championship in 2006, just one year later. "That didn't just change the course of my career, it changed the course of my whole life," she later admitted. Focusing on D2BD since her retirement from driving in 2015, Wolff had been spotted at a number of E-Prix this season, sparking rumours of her potential involvement. "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," she said.
Based in the Monaco headquarters, Wolff will work closely with Gildo Pastor, CEO of the Venturi Formula E Team. “I am delighted to welcome Susie on board as Team Principal and shareholder. Her energy and expertise will help us to grow by strengthening the team and introducing a new approach to management," said Pastor.
"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.
"Her desire to become a shareholder illustrates an unwavering commitment which warms my heart. Venturi and the Venturi Formula E Team are proud to welcome Susie at a key moment in the history of the group,” he added.
With the season finale in New York City just weeks away, Wolff and the team will be busy preparing to do battle on the Brooklyn harbourfront in a bid to finish in the top five teams. Don't miss out.