Susie Wolff, the fastest women on earth reveals her penchant for Aston Martins and her next car
Susie Wolff made history at Silverstone earlier this year when she became the first female driver to participate in an official Grand Prix session since 1992 and is inspiring a new generation of female racers
Who taught you to drive? My Mum! I started on the morning of my 17th birthday by driving to school.
What car was your family car? Not very glamorous but practical, a VW Sharan.
If you could switch careers what would you do? I have my dream job so would never want to swop but the only other sport which fascinates me is downhill skiing.
Whom do you most admire in your industry? I admire many successful people within the industry for various reasons. I believe you can learn something from each person who is successful whether it be a driver, engineer or management.
What was your best career decision to date? Entering the German Touring Car Championship with Mercedes Benz. A one year contract led to seven years racing in the best touring car championship in the world. This then led me to meeting my husband and getting a chance in F1 with Williams Martini Racing.
Do you have a personal philosophy?Have a plan. Always know what you want to achieve and how you are going to achieve it. I was told a great saying a few years ago, dream and dream big but always know that a dream without a plan of how to achieve that dream is just a wish.
What is on your car stereo right now? The Journey, Don’t Stop Believing
One item you couldn’t live without? My passport.
Describe yourself in one word Determined
What’s the worst car you’ve ever owned? The VW Sharan although at that time I was just happy to have a car!
Is there a car you wish you’d never sold? Aston Martin DBS
What might you buy next? The new Mercedes GT AMG!
What’s the best time you’ve had in a car? Travelling with my husband from Stuttgart to Munich in an SL 65 AMG Black Series. Now that is a car!
And the worst? Being stuck in horrendous traffic, I am not patient and hate when traffic completely stops. I need to move…
Who is your dream passenger? My husband.
Have you ever locked yourself out of your own car? Not yet… we have lost car keys and run out of fuel though.
Have you ever had a car stolen or vandalised? Touch wood, no.
What sort of road driver are you? Safe, I can take my aggression out on the race track so don’t need to prove anything on the roads. Safety comes first.
Can you change a tyre or do you need to call for help? I could change a tyre, if I’m not in a dress…
Have you ever put the wrong fuel in your car? Yes, once in Finland. It was very embarrassing.
What’s the scariest moment you’ve had in a car? I still had summer tyres on my car and was driving back from the Nurburgring in late October. It suddenly starting snowing and I had a hard job keeping the car on the road.
What’s in your boot at the moment? Nothing, I have to always have my car interior immaculate.
Do you have a favourite motoring gadget? Keyless go. It means I don’t have to always search in my handbag for my car keys!
Do you have a favourite road? The road from Glasgow to Oban. It is through the Scottish Highlands and is very picturesque. I always know on this road that home isn’t far away.
Geraldine Herbert
10th February, 2015
