Wolff defends Ecclestone after women racer remarks

The comments by the sport’s 85-year-old commercial supremo caused a storm on social media, with women racers quick to condemn him, but Wolff felt they need to be put into perspective. “After hearing Bernie’s comments in context and speaking to him today, it’s clear we both have the goal of getting a female driver to F1,” the Scot, wife of Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff, said on Twitter. 

“Through my years in motorsport, he was supportive of my mission to make it onto the starting grid in F1,” added Wolff, who in 2014 became the first woman driver in 22 years to take part in a Formula One grand prix weekend when she drove in Friday practice at Silverstone for Williams. No woman has raced in Formula One since 1976. 

Wolff, now retired from racing, said Ecclestone had agreed last week to support her ‘Dare to be Different’ initiative to encourage more women into motorsport. “For me, actions always speak louder than words...Bernie is with us,” she added. 

Ecclestone, who has made derogatory comments in the past about women and is no stranger to controversy. His comment, “I don’t know whether a woman would be able physically to drive a Formula One car quickly, and even if they could they are never going to be taken seriously” was widely reported.