Test driver to take part in practice sessions at British and Spanish GPsSusie Wolff: ‘I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been’

Susie Wolff is to gain further Formula One experience during the forthcoming season.

Wolff was appointed Williams’ official test driver at the end of November last year and now the team have confirmed her duties for 2015. The 32-year-old Scot will take part in the first practice sessions for the Spanish and British Grands Prix in May and July respectively.

Following an outing on the first day of the second pre-season test in Barcelona last month, Wolff will also test for a day of the in-season programme scheduled following the Austrian Grand Prix in June.

The on-track experience will be supplemented with an extensive programme of work in the team’s simulator to help with the ongoing development of the current car, the FW37.

Wolff said: “Our focus this year is to build on the success of 2014. I’ve been training hard all winter and I am physically in the best shape I’ve ever been, so I am ready for the season ahead.

“As official test driver I will have additional time in the FW37 and by correlating this with my work in the simulator, the team can ensure we are getting the best from the car and check how updates are performing.

“All of us drivers on the Williams roster have been working closely together on this and we are ready to give everything we can to the 2015 season.”

Explaining the thinking behind Wolff’s duties, the deputy team principal, Claire Williams, said: “Last season Susie impressed with her performances during FP1 at Silverstone and Hockenheim and we were keen to give her another chance to test in 2015.

“She knew the FW36 well and with the FW37 being a gradual evolution we were keen to utilise this knowledge and get her in the car to help assess and validate the approaches we have taken.”