On Friday, Susie Wolff will become the first driver to participate in a Formula One grand prix weekend in over two decades, and Claire Williams believes it as a 'massive step forward' for the sport. Wolff, the 31-year-old development driver at Williams, will take part in Friday's opening practice session for the British Grand Prix - the 50th edition at Silverstone -  replacing Valtteri Bottas. 'For Formula One as a whole it sends out a really powerful message,' Williams, the British team's deputy team principal, said. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Felipe Massa catches a lift with Susie Wolff in DTM car
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Wolff will become the first woman to drive at a grand prix for 22 years
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Only five women have taken part in a race weekend in Formula One history
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The Scot will drive in practice for an hour and a half on Friday
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Critics point to the fact she is the wife of Toto Wolff, the Mercedes boss
Susie Wolff
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Susie Wolff
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'I really hope it encourages more girls to take up karting and to come up through the junior ranks because @placeholder has shown that you can do it, and she has also demonstrated that Formula One is a non-gender bias sport.