Williams test driver Susie Wolff will retire from motorsport at the end of the 2015 season, as she feels there is a lack of opportunities for women in Formula One.
Wolff became the first female driver to take part in an F1 race weekend in over two decades at last year's British Grand Prix and featured again at Silverstone this year before taking part in practice for the Spanish Grand Prix.
However, the Scottish racer does not believe that she will be afforded the chance to take to the grid in F1.
She will hang up her helmet after the Race of Champions in London later this month and turn her attentions to promoting other women's chances of making it to the pinnacle of motorsport.
Wolff wrote for the Huffington Post: "It has been an incredible journey with many ups and downs. I feel privileged to have turned my passion into my profession.
"I was brought up by brilliant parents who never once made me think motorsport was rather for boys, that I was choosing a path unusual for a girl. They instilled in me the belief that I could achieve anything if I was determined and worked hard enough.
"At 13, the dream and the goal became Formula 1. 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.
"My gut feeling tells me it is time to move on. Time to explore new challenges and push myself in new environments. As a sportsperson it is always difficult to know when to stop but for me, this journey has come to an end."
She added: "My progression into Formula 1 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 energized 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."