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Sexy Susie set for Williams' hot seat

SILVERSTONE, England - Susie Wolff, 31, says she is "nervous but ready" as she prepares to break a long F1 drought here this weekend.

She will be the first woman in more than two decades to take part in an official Formula 1 GP weekend, driving for Williams in Friday morning practice and intending to use the opportunity to prove she is up to a grid slot soon.

'SUPER CHANCE'

Wolff, whose husband Toto Wolff is a Williams team shareholder and Mercedes chief, told Austria's APA news agency: "What is most important for this session is the team but I am also ambitious. This is my chance to show what I can do - it's an opportunity not many get and, as a woman, I've had to work even harder to earn respect.

"This is a super, super chance. I have to show what I can do. I'm nervous but you need that adrenalin... honestly, I'm ready. Everybody thinks I need to show if I am fast but I'm not going to go on qualifying runs.

"I am part of the team and I will do my programme just as Valtteri (Bottas) would have. It's very important for me to return the car in one piece!"

'THINGS IN HER FAVOUR'

Wolff, who most recently raced in German Touring Cars, admitted it was her goal eventually to call herself a F1 race driver. "Clearly," she confirmed, "but it's not easy - I'm realistic. It's a struggle because there are so many other talented drivers fighting for the same chance."

She does, however, see a couple of things in her favour. "Teams want lighter drivers," she told the Daily Record newspaper, "which counts in women's favour, and physically we are catching up on men. You need to be the complete package and bring in the right amount of sponsorship.

"It would be a great marketing ploy to sign a woman, so you never know... the whole culture of the sport is changing and there are more female engineers and bosses.

"It's a great time to be a woman in motorsport."

Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 British GP this weekend.
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