While Lewis Hamilton Lost 8th Title for the Sake of Entertainment, 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.

Discover Your Drive has officially started, with our first showcase event hosted by @karting and @ourmotorsportuk.

Careers in motorsport are open to all – and @f1academy Discover Your Drive is a first step on the ladder for aspiring young women around the world.#F1Academy pic.twitter.com/qEDo3P5eAv

— Susie Wolff (@Susie_Wolff) July 5, 2023

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.

Lewis Hamilton is so important. 💛
The W Series is so important. 💜 pic.twitter.com/R7mC74pA7c

— LEWIS DID WHAT? (@lewisdidwhat) July 29, 2022

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.