Wolff announces departure as ‘Maserati chapter begins’

Venturi took eight wins during Susie Wolff's reign.

Venturi team principal, Susie Wolff, has confirmed her departure from the side after they narrowly lost out on the title to Mercedes last season.

Wolff contested a practice session for Williams at the 2014 British Grand Prix, but the chance to race in the pinnacle of motorsport sadly never materialised for the talented Briton.

She retired as a racing driver, but put her intimate knowledge of motorsport to good use by taking the same step as her husband and Mercedes Formula 1 team principal, Toto, has done.

Wolff moved into management in 2018, becoming team principal of the Venturi team having become a Mercedes ambassador two years prior.

READ: Susie Wolff fires back at ‘negative comments’ about Hamilton’s activism

The 39-year-old bought shares in the side ahead of season five of the championship, and made a deal with Mercedes to supply Venturi with engines for season six in 2019.

She oversaw eight wins during her tenure with a combination of Edoardo Mortara, Norman Nato and Lucas di Grassi.

One of the more emotional moments for Venturi came through Felipe Massa in Wolff’s first year in charge. The Brazilian finished third at the squad’s home Monaco E-Prix, and it was their first podium in over three years following Nick Heidfeld’s rostrum appearance in Moscow in 2015. 

Mortara put up a solid title challenge last season, but it was not quite enough to finish ahead of Mitch Evans or Stoffel Vandoorne, and the Swiss had to settle for third.

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He and di Grassi also took the fight to the Mercedes pair of Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries, but the German side would successfully defend both titles as they signed off to be replaced by McLaren.

Maserati are set to enter the all-electric series, and they will take over from Venturi.

As the team that has been part of the series since the beginning in 2014 bows out of Formula E, as does Wolff following four impressive years in charge.

“As the most successful season in Venturi’s history comes to an end, so does my personal journey with the team and Formula E,” she said in a statement.

READ: Susie Wolff inspired by Lewis Hamilton ‘as a human being’

“I leave with immense pride in the solid foundations we have built together, as the team begins a new chapter with Maserati.”

The two-time points finisher in DTM expressed her sense of achievement, both on and off the track with Venturi over the years.

“When I joined Venturi, my goal was to build a team that was not just successful on track, but stood for a greater purpose,” explained Wolff.

“A racing family, that celebrated diversity and championed inclusivity. While that journey still continues, I’m so proud of the progress we’ve made.”

Mortara is set to remain at Venturi when they become Maserati for season nine, while di Grassi has signed with the Mahindra team to replace Alexander Sims.

It is not yet known who will take the Brazilian’s place alongside Mortara.