Susie Wolff reveals the one quality Lewis Hamilton is often undervalued for in F1. Susie Wolff praises Lewis Hamilton for transforming Formula 1’s global image.

Susie Wolff highlights the influence Lewis Hamilton doesn’t get enough recognition for in Formula 1

Susie Wolff, now the managing director of the F1 Academy, continues to make her mark in motorsport long after the conclusion of her professional racing career. Many still remember that she remains the last woman to participate in an official Formula 1 race weekend, having taken part in the 2015 British Grand Prix as a test driver for Williams.

Before her involvement in Formula 1, Wolff built a successful career in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), competing regularly in the highly competitive touring car championship. Her time behind the wheel included four official F1 test sessions between 2014 and 2015, before she decided to retire from active competition. Her final race appearance came a decade ago, representing Scotland at the prestigious Race of Champions.

Married to Mercedes team principal and co-owner Toto Wolff, she has since moved into leadership roles within motorsport. Wolff previously served as team principal of the Venturi Formula E team before taking charge of the F1 Academy — an initiative created to give young female drivers the opportunity to compete on Formula 1 weekends and develop the skills needed to reach the top levels of the sport.

Over the years, Wolff has maintained a strong friendship with Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton. She has often expressed her admiration for him both as an athlete and as a person who has significantly influenced the global image of Formula 1. Wolff was reportedly pleased when Hamilton made his landmark move from Mercedes to Ferrari, a change that brought excitement to the sport. However, as his debut season with the Scuderia nears its end, the seven-time World Champion has yet to achieve the results he had hoped for — with no Grand Prix podiums so far. Despite this, Wolff has been vocal in her praise for the British driver, emphasizing that his contribution to Formula 1 goes far beyond race results.

Susie Wolff praises Lewis Hamilton for transforming Formula 1’s global reputation

Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Wolff discussed her own journey in motorsport and how her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated industry have shaped her perspective. She noted that while she receives a great deal of support from within Formula 1, much of the progress seen in the F1 Academy is the result of genuine collaboration from across the paddock. According to her, both the Formula 1 organization and the teams have invested considerable effort and resources into ensuring the success of the F1 Academy, which she described as an initiative that can create a long-lasting positive impact on the sport’s future.

Wolff took the opportunity to draw a parallel between the goals of the F1 Academy and Hamilton’s broader influence. She explained that Hamilton has consistently used his platform to promote positive change, recognizing that his voice carries weight far beyond racing. She emphasized that his willingness to stand up for important issues, even when others remain silent, has been a defining trait of his career. Rather than simply following the established norms, Hamilton has always chosen his own path, one that has not only shaped his personal brand but also transformed Formula 1’s cultural relevance around the world.

According to Wolff, Lewis Hamilton’s courage to speak out has made him a unique figure within the paddock. She observed that he often steps forward to address matters that others prefer to avoid, helping to create conversations that lead to real change. She pointed out that many fail to recognize the extent of Hamilton’s impact — not only as a seven-time World Champion but as an individual who has made Formula 1 a more inclusive, visible, and globally admired sport. His approach to fashion, his outspoken personality, and his advocacy for diversity have, in her view, turned the walk to the paddock into something much more than a simple arrival — transforming it into a platform of expression and identity.

Wolff further reflected that Lewis Hamilton’s influence extends beyond the track, helping to make Formula 1 culturally relevant outside of traditional motorsport audiences. His sense of style, environmental awareness, and social advocacy have helped redefine what it means to be a Formula 1 driver in the modern era. She believes that his example should inspire others within the sport to use their voices and platforms for positive causes, particularly in an environment that is often resistant to change.

Lewis Hamilton’s impact on Formula 1’s culture and identity

As Wolff described, Hamilton’s interest in fashion and culture has made him one of the most recognized athletes in the world. His willingness to bring creativity and individuality into Formula 1 has influenced a new generation of drivers, many of whom have begun expressing their personalities more freely through their paddock appearances. This evolution in the sport’s atmosphere is one of the subtle yet meaningful ways in which Lewis Hamilton’s presence continues to shape the image of Formula 1.

Recently, SportsPro named Lewis Hamilton the world’s most marketable athlete, ranking him ahead of global icons such as Simone Biles, Stephen Curry, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Such recognition underscores how his brand extends beyond racing and into global culture. Despite being a private person at times, the Briton has managed to maintain immense influence, combining his competitive achievements with a distinctive public persona that resonates with fans around the world.

Even at 40 years old, Lewis Hamilton remains a central figure in the sport’s efforts to evolve. His presence continues to inspire diversity and inclusivity across Formula 1, both through his public initiatives and his day-to-day behavior within the paddock. As he approaches the later stages of his remarkable career, Hamilton’s ambition remains intact — not only in pursuing an unprecedented eighth World Championship title but also in using his platform to ensure Formula 1 continues to move forward as a more open and progressive sport.

Through Susie Wolff’s words, it becomes clear that Lewis Hamilton’s true legacy may not be limited to his race victories or championship titles. His influence on the sport’s culture, its global image, and its growing commitment to inclusion and authenticity might well define his lasting contribution to Formula 1 for generations to come.