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
'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.