Former Formula 1 reserve driver Susie Wolff has joined the Venturi Formula E outfit as its team principal and a shareholder.
Wolff has joined the team with immediate effect overlooking the outfit’s Season 5’s progress as the FIA Formula E Championship starts a new chapter in the all-electric series’ journey with its Gen2 car.
“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,” she said. “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.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Gildo, who is rightly recognised as a pioneer in electric automobiles and who saw the potential of the series from the very beginning. He has built a strong team that has earned its place on the Formula E grid and features many talented people who I’m excited to work with.
“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.”
Wolff is the second high-profile appointment made by the Monegasque outfit after signing former F1 driver Felipe Massa and Wolff’s Williams teammate for his debut in the Formula E championship in the 2018/19 season.
She has been playing a mentor role in the Dare To Be Different programme and now steps into a serious team management and ownership role with Venturi. She will work closely at the team’s Monaco HQ with all the departments leading into Season 5.
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“I am delighted to welcome Susie on board as Team Principal and shareholder,” said Venturi’s CEO Gildo Pastor. “Her energy and expertise will help us to grow by strengthening the team and introducing a new approach to management.
“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.”
The team has been on an expansion spree which started first with signing a deal to provide its powertrain to a new-to-be Formula E outfit, HWA AG in Season 5. They have also opened up Venturi Next Gen motorsport academy for young drivers.
Interestingly, Wolff is set to go up against her husband Toto Wolff’s Mercedes team, which is scheduled to make its debut in the sixth season of the all-electric series. Venturi sits seventh in the standings with just two races to go in the current season.
