In a powerful rebuke to what she describes as "outdated" media coverage, Susie Wolff, the groundbreaking new Managing Director of the F1 Academy, has condemned publications for focusing on historic bikini photographs rather than her professional qualifications.
The Scottish former racing driver, who made history as the first female team principal in Formula 1, took to social media to express her frustration after several outlets chose to illustrate articles about her landmark appointment with images from her personal life rather than her racing career.
A Landmark Appointment Overshadowed
Wolff's appointment to lead the all-female F1 Academy series represents a significant step forward for gender diversity in the male-dominated world of motorsport. However, the celebration of this professional achievement was marred when certain media channels opted for sensationalist imagery over substantive reporting.
"It's 2024," Wolff stated emphatically in her response. "We are talking about the first female president of an F1 series, and still the first question I get asked is about a picture in a bikini."
More Than Just a Picture
The controversy highlights the persistent challenges women in sports leadership face, where their appearance often receives disproportionate attention compared to their qualifications and achievements.
Wolff, who enjoyed a successful racing career before moving into management, emphasized that the focus should be on her capability to lead and develop the next generation of female racing talent through the F1 Academy initiative.
A Call for Change
Her statement has resonated across the motorsport community, sparking conversations about gender representation and media responsibility in sports journalism.
Many within the industry have rallied behind Wolff, praising her for addressing the issue directly and calling for a more professional approach to covering women's achievements in motorsport.
As the F1 Academy prepares for its next season under Wolff's leadership, the conversation she has started about respectful representation promises to have a lasting impact beyond the racetrack.
