Susie Wolff now faces “the million dollar question” as to where her Formula 1 career goes from here.
As part of her planned programme as development driver for the Grove-based Williams team, the 31-year-old Scot completed the first practice session for tomorrow’s German Grand Prix at Hockenheim yesterday.
For one dreadful moment, though, it appeared as if the outing would again be short-lived, as was the case in first practice ahead of the British Grand Prix a fortnight ago.
On that day Wolff made history as she became the first woman for 22 years to take part in a race weekend, and only the sixth overall.
Wolff’s car stopped on track after just 20 minutes and four laps due to an engine failure.
Given a planned second bite of the cherry in Germany, with Valtteri Bottas again making way, on her first out-lap and just over a minute into the session, Wolff was seen touring.
But, unlike at Silverstone where she was forced to pull off track, she was able to coast back to the garage where the team rectified a minor electrical problem.
Wolff went on to complete 22 laps, finishing 15th on the timesheet, just a quarter of a second behind teammate Felipe Massa.
There were, though, two pitlane speeding fines in a matter of three minutes that cost her £1,580, but they were a blip on an otherwise fine display.
As to the exact nature of her next step, Wolff said: “That’s the million dollar question – what comes next?
“It’s difficult because it was only ever planned for me to do two practices one sessions this season, and that’s the second one done now.
“Of course it’s carrying on my work for the team. I’m always someone who likes to keep improving, keep moving forwards.
“That’s my aim, and that’s going to be the big fight. It’s tough, and that’s the big trouble in Formula 1, to get in the car and get more time in the car.”
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