SUSIE WOLFF retired from motor racing yesterday, claiming the sport is not ready for women to compete.

Wolff became the first female driver to compete in a Formula One race weekend in over two decades last year, test driving for Williams at the British Grand Prix, the Spanish and the German.

But her hopes of becoming the first woman to start a race since Italian Lella Lombardi in 1976 were dashed when Adrian Sutil joined Williams following Valteerri Bottas’s injury in March.

And the 32-year-old feels that there were some people inside the sport who didn’t want her to compete on the race grid.

She said: “My progression into Formula One came to represent so much more than a racing driver simply trying to reach the pinnacle of the sport. It was also the hope that finally there may again be a female on the starting grid.

“I rode the wave, was energised by all the support and fought hard. There were those who wanted it to happen. Those who didn’t.

“I can only tell you, I gave it my all. Do I think F1 is ready for a competitive female racing driver that can perform at the highest level? Yes. Do I think it is achievable as a woman? Most definitely. Do I think it will happen soon? Sadly no.

“We have two issues: not enough young girls starting in karting at a young age and no clear role model. Sometimes you just have to see it to believe it.

“My gut feeling tells me it is time to move on.”

Wolff joined Williams in 2012 and thanked the team for giving her the opportunity but knew deep down it was time for her to move on.

“At 13, the dream and the goal became Formula One,” she said.

“I got oh so close. I wanted and fought very hard to make it onto that starting grid but the events at the start of this year and the current environment in F1 the way it is, it isn’t going to happen.

“As a sportsperson it is always difficult to know when to stop but for me, this journey has come to an end.

“I’d like to thank Williams for the opportunity they have given me over the last few years which has allowed me to achieve my dream of driving a Formula One car.”