Susie Wolff has been announced as team principal and shareholder of the Venturi Formula E team with immediate effect.
The Dare to be Different founder and former Williams Formula 1 test driver will lead the team’s development going into the 2018/19 season as it sets to strengthen its position in the series.
“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,” Wolff 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 [Pastor, Venturi President], 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.”
Venturi announced ex-F1 driver Felipe Massa as one of its drivers for next season in May, and that it will be supplying powertrains to newcomers HWA, the Mercedes subdivision that will enter next season before the works entry does in the 2019/20 campaign led by Wolff’s husband, Toto.
“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 Gildo 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.”
