While Lewis Hamilton Lost 8th Title for the Sake of Entertainment, Susie Wolff Reaps Its Benefit

Shreya Sanjeev | 16/07/2023
While Lewis Hamilton Lost 8th Title for the Sake of Entertainment, $2,000,000 Worth Susie Wolff Reaps Its Benefit

The 2021 season may have been the last truly entertaining season for F1 fans, as nothing that followed has matched the adrenaline rush of that season. However, it was a mark left on F1 history, one that ended with Lewis Hamilton being robbed of his title for the sake of entertainment. Yet, the Director of the F1 Academy and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s wife, Susie, looks at the bright side.

Susie Wolff currently shoulders the task of bringing women into the world of motorsports and helping them shine in the spotlight. While this has been difficult, Wolff credits moments like Abu Dhabi for contributing to her efforts.

Lewis Hamilton loss contributes to the greater good

Currently, in the Drive to Survive era, the sport has begun looking into things like marketability, especially to the American audience. Lucky for Susie Wolff, the female drivers get to ride this wave as well.

And so, she thanks the dramatic end of the 2021 season for bringing in the hype. “Huge dramatic moments like Abu Dhabi. It really creates a fan base and young female athletes which made the sport realize ‘Okay, we need to connect with this.”

As reported by PlanetF1, the season finale attracted a mammoth 108.7m viewers from around the world, thus increasing the sports fanbase. However, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it was the pressure of this audience that forced the FIA to orchestrate the perfect climax.

On the other hand, while there has been a large influx of fans, F1 and the world of motorsports have a long way to go when it comes to the women behind their wheels. The F1 Academy has been the right step in that direction, but with nowhere to stream the series, creating a fanbase will be difficult, no matter what.

Hamilton’s support for Women in motorsport

Before getting shut down due to the lack of funds, the W-Series helped the fast and daring women to hone their racing skills. However, while winning championships and races was respected, unlike the F2, and F3 feeder series, there was no prospect of a seat in F1.

Hamilton has been an advocate for these women. Cheering on in sessions and demanding a seat at the table, Hamilton had said, “I feel it’s great that we have the W Series, but we as a sport need to do way more for young girls getting into the sport.” 

The F1 champion also demanded, “For these women, there’s no progression from W Series. It’s been three years, and we need to really, really work on trying to create [something].”

However, the battle continues. While the F1 Academy has risen from the ashes of its successor, the FIA needs to ensure it doesn’t meet the same fate.

Post Edited By: Somin Bhattacharjee
Lewis Hamilton Max Verstappen Susie Wolff Toto Wolff mercedes

About the author

Shreya Sanjeev

Shreya Sanjeev is an F1 journalist at the SportsRush. Two years in the field and an ever-growing love for the sport drive her dream to walk around the paddock one day with a mic in hand. A Red Bull fan through and through, her “favorite driver” spot was once held by notable alumni Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and now, the Dutch Lion himself, Max Verstappen. Apart from F1, she muses in the NBA and cheers on for Steph Curry and his Warriors, while also jumping on the NFL bandwagon.

Don’t miss these