Ex-NASCAR driver Danica Patrick refutes Susis Wolff’s Lewis Hamilton remark, claims F1 academy support must be ‘authentic’

Danica Patrick highlighted that F1 drivers should not be coerced into supporting F1 Academy drivers.

Ex-NASCAR driver Danica Patrick refutes Susis Wolff’s Lewis Hamilton remark, claims F1 academy support must be ‘authentic’

Danica Patrick [L], Lewis Hamilton [C], Susie Wolff [R] (image via IMAGO)

Motorsport has always been a field dominated by men. However, Formula 1 is working to change the status quo and encourage more girls to venture into the world of racing through the F1 Academy series. F1 Academy Managing Director Susie Wolff had reckoned that only Lewis Hamilton had consistently supported the all-female series. Now, former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick has gone against the 40-year-old.

F1 Academy shared the paddock with F1 at the US GP. However, only Lewis Hamilton and George Russell met the young talents of the feeder series. Wolff mentioned that it is unfortunate that only Hamilton takes up the initiative to support aspiring drivers. The F1 Academy manager reckoned that the seven-time champion best understood the situation of the drivers in the category.

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It’s a little bit sad that it’s always Lewis. He’s always the one offering support, coming over and really, because I think in the end, he knows what it’s like to be the only one and so he has an affinity.
Susie Wolff told Sky Sports.

However, Danica Patrick believes that drivers should not be forced to show their support to F1 Academy talent. The former NASCAR driver insisted that drivers should be allowed to be themselves and offer authentic support. Patrick claimed that drivers are not mandated to act as mentors. Although, the American driver agreed that Lewis Hamilton has always been at the forefront of supporting junior talent.

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I think it has to be authentic, I really do. And we know more about Lewis because of the things that he does. And so while it would be nice I’m sure for Susie to have more drivers supporting and being around and mentoring, they don’t have to, they just have to be true to themselves.
Danica Patrick said.

Susis Wolff expects more F1 driver interaction with F1 Academy in 2024

F1 Academy will undergo a massive overhaul next season. All 10 F1 teams will have their own liveries on the grid in the second season of the feeder series. As such, Susie Wolff is optimistic that this would allow for more F1 drivers to offer their support to the exciting talents in the all-female championship.

The 2023 F1 Academy grid
The 2023 F1 Academy grid (image via F1)

Wolff believed that such a platform is essential to promote women in motorsports. F1 Academy is a long-term project that would set the foundation for girls to enter the racing arena. Although, the series did suffer a few hiccups in its debut season with a lack of live coverage for a majority of the rounds this year.

Certainly, F1 Academy is a big step in terms of providing a path for women in motorsport. Formula 1 has invested heavily into building it as a platform to encourage women. However, there is still a long way to go for the series as it establishes itself. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how the championship plays out with an overhauled grid in 2024.

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