F1 Academy’s Susie Wolff

Former racing driver and Managing Director of F1 Academy Susie Wolff lifts the bonnet on her incredible journey to the top of motorsport. A powerful woman in what has traditionally been a male-dominated world, Susie will be talking about her life, career and her campaign to inspire more women into motorsport, with mechanical engineer, broadcaster and author Dr Shini Somara, who is herself a champion of women and girls in STEM.

From the moment her parents first sat her in a go-kart, Susie felt it: the thrill of speed, the spark of something bigger. A little girl who dared to dream of racing on the grid.

The journey was tough, one of grit, instinct, and refusing to quit, but one day she was handed the opportunity of a lifetime -25 laps in an F1 car. She knew chances like that didn’t come often, and when they did, you had to grab them.

When her time behind the wheel ended, Susie didn’t stall – she pivoted. Taking over a struggling Formula E team, she took it from the back of the grid to championship contention, and demonstrated her skills as a business leader.

F1 Academy became her next mission: to inspire young women to enter motorsport and help shape the future of the sport she loves.

Now, to celebrate her debut book Driven, Susie tells her story in her own words. From the driver’s seat to the boardroom, she offers a rare, first-hand look at motorsport at its highest level. She reflects on the triumphs and setbacks of her career, her bold move into leadership, and how she’s balanced ambition, motherhood, and her relationship with her husband Toto Wolff.

Told with clarity and grace, hear the inspirational story of a woman determined not just to compete – but to redefine the race.

Susie will be in conversation with British multi-award-winning mechanical engineer, media broadcaster, producer and author, Dr Shini Somara.

She is Pro Chancellor of Brunel University, a Masters and Doctoral mentor at Imperial college, London, as well as a podcaster and TEDx Speaker. Shini has written seven STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) books for young people, including her latest Engineers making a Difference. She is a passionate advocate for science in education, and for women working in science and technology.