Wolff positive after short PR joy ride

Susie Wolff, the Danica Patrick of F1

Susie Wolff refused to be too downbeat after her Formula 1 practice debut lasted no longer than four laps.

The Williams development driver, who had previously tested for the team, became the first woman to contest an official session since Giovanna Amati in 1992.

But an oil pressure issue led to her engine cutting out during an early run, with mechanics unable to fix the car in time to send her back out.

"It's a really tough day, but that's Formula 1 sometimes," Wolff told BBC Sport.

"I felt very ready for today. The team had done a fantastic job of preparing me. It was good to get that first run on an actual race weekend in the bag.

"Now I need to keep working towards Hockenheim, knowing what I need to do."

Wolff says it was an exciting experience to drive a Formula 1 car in front of so much home support.

"[The support] helped a lot. It was wonderful," she explained.

"When you put the helmet on, that's when it's the best. It's just you and the car."