15/03/2015
NEWS STORY
Susie Wolff is unlikely to replace Valtteri Bottas should he be unfit to drive in Sepang later this month.
From the moment Williams revealed that the Finnish hot-shot would be unable to participate in today's season opener, the big question everyone was asking was who would replace him if his back is not healed in time for the second round of the season in Malaysia in two weeks.
While Susie Wolff, wife of Mercedes Motorsport boss (and Williams engine supplier) Toto Wolff is the Grove outfit's test driver, in late January GP3 champion Alex Lynn was appointed development driver.
However, as Bernie Ecclestone licks his lips at the sure-fire publicity a woman driving in an F1 Grand Prix again might attract, Pat Symonds appeared keen to kill off the idea before it got properly started.
“She is not actually our reserve driver, she is our test driver,” he told Sky Sports F1 following today's race.
"With Valtteri we are getting good indications from the medical people,” he added, trying to move the issue along. “I don’t think I have ever seen a race driver as disappointed when I spoke to him this morning.”
However, asked if Lynn, who does not have a super licence, might be called up, Symonds remained evasive. "We are looking at some plans,” he mumbled.
Meanwhile, deputy team principal Claire Williams was unable to give Wolff much hope, as she echoed Symonds response. “Susie Wolff is our test driver not our reserve driver," she told BBC Sport.
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