W Series News: Women's Feeder Series
03-20-2019, 02:34 PM
#1
Moderator
Thread Starter
W Series News: Women's Feeder Series
https://jalopnik.com/i-have-to-begru...ies-1833434182
Racing’s first top-tier women-only racing category, the W Series, has continued to truck right along as it approaches its on-track debut in May. While the selection process has begun—to be continued later this month—the series hadn’t yet released what their cars would look like. Until today. And I hate that I love them.
The car, the Tatuus T-318 from the Italian company that has designed feeder series open-wheel cars has been outfitted in a pretty standard livery across the board. Five different liveries have been designed with different combinations of the pink, purple, green, and yellow W Series logo, featuring a prominent ‘W’ on the rear fin.
They’re pretty simple, but they’re classy. The liveries may be standardized, but I’m glad there’s going to be some variety. And I’m always glad to see pink, purple, and green cars.
That simplicity is designed to allow “space for prominent for the future positioning of the driver’s name and national flag, as well as her own race number, as specifically chosen by each driver, once the final grid has been finalised,” as per the W Series press release. A clean livery is a nice way to ensure driver visibility.
I, like many other race fans, am not comfortable with the whole concept of segregating women out of racing overall in a sport where body morphology doesn’t matter. It feels like an easy way to cordon off all those pesky women demanding track time so that the men can race without having to worry about it. At the same time, though, it’s a great opportunity for women to actually get the track experience they’ve been lacking.
No matter what our feelings, the series is going forward. The first day of the final test is March 23, with the final results of the eighteen-driver grid being announced in full on March 28
The car, the Tatuus T-318 from the Italian company that has designed feeder series open-wheel cars has been outfitted in a pretty standard livery across the board. Five different liveries have been designed with different combinations of the pink, purple, green, and yellow W Series logo, featuring a prominent ‘W’ on the rear fin.
They’re pretty simple, but they’re classy. The liveries may be standardized, but I’m glad there’s going to be some variety. And I’m always glad to see pink, purple, and green cars.
That simplicity is designed to allow “space for prominent for the future positioning of the driver’s name and national flag, as well as her own race number, as specifically chosen by each driver, once the final grid has been finalised,” as per the W Series press release. A clean livery is a nice way to ensure driver visibility.
I, like many other race fans, am not comfortable with the whole concept of segregating women out of racing overall in a sport where body morphology doesn’t matter. It feels like an easy way to cordon off all those pesky women demanding track time so that the men can race without having to worry about it. At the same time, though, it’s a great opportunity for women to actually get the track experience they’ve been lacking.
No matter what our feelings, the series is going forward. The first day of the final test is March 23, with the final results of the eighteen-driver grid being announced in full on March 28
03-28-2019, 08:28 AM
#3
Moderator
Thread Starter
https://www.motorsport.com/w-series/...ction/4359539/
“After four intensive days’ testing in Almeria, finishing yesterday, and four equally rigorous days’ trials in Melk in January, as you can imagine we’d amassed a huge amount of data,” said W Series CEO Catherine Bond Muir said.“So our judges, led by Dave Ryan, then crunched that data in order to determine who would be the 18 drivers to contest the first ever single-seater racing series for female drivers.
“To those drivers who didn’t make it through, I offer my commiserations, of course, but I also say ‘well done’.
“All our drivers worked diligently, studied hard, and drove well, including those who didn’t make it through.
“To the 18 drivers who did make it through, I say ‘big congrats and very well done’.”
The four-day test in Almeria marked the drivers' first opportunity to sample the series' Tatuus T-318 car.
The first 12 names on the grid were selected on the basis of the first three days of running, leaving the final day as a shoot-out for the remaining six places in the roster, as well as the four reserve driver slots.
Sarah Bovy, Vivien Keszthelyi, Stephane Kox and Francesca Linossi have been named as the reserves for the inaugural W Series.
Meanwhile, those missing out entirely include ARCA driver Natalie Decker and ex-Formula 2 racer Natalia Kowalska.
W Series racing director Ryan said: “It’s been tough on a few of the women, but to be honest the ones that have gone through have done a really good job over the four days in Almeria.
“That’s the end of one part and the start of another. We’re all happy, although obviously a couple of the women are disappointed, but that’s sadly how it is and they have just got to keep trying.”
“This has been a more difficult selection process than we ever could have dreamt of in terms of how close it has been across the field,” added fellow W Series chief David Coulthard.
W Series will hold a pre-season test at Lausitzring on April 14-16, before the six-round campaign, running in support of the DTM, begins at Hockenheim on May 4-5.
Jamie Chadwick British F3, British GT (GT4 champion)
Sabre Cook Road to Indy, US F4
Marta Garcia Spanish F4
Megan Gilkes F1200 Canada
Esmee Hawkey Porsche Carrera Cup GB
Jessica Hawkins Mini Challenge
Shea Holbrook Lamborghini Super Trofeo
Emma Kimilainen STCC
Miki Koyama Japanese F4
Sarah Moore LMP3, Ginetta Junior (champion)
Tasmin Pepper VW Engen Polo Cup
Vicky Piria GP3, European F3 Open
Alice Powell GP3, Formula Renault UK (champion)
Gosia Rdest Audi TT Cup, GT4
Naomi Schiff Formula Renault 2.0, GT4 European
Beitske Visser Formula Renault 3.5, GT4 European
Fabienne Wohlwend Ferrari Europe
Caitlin Wood Blancpain GT
The all-female W Series championship has announced an 18-driver roster for its inaugural season in 2018, following a final selection test at Almeria.
British GT4 and MRF Challenge champion Jamie Chadwick, former Red Bull junior Beitske Visser and ex-Formula Renault standout Alice Powell are among the names headlining the newly-formed grid.The 18 drivers were selected from the list of 28 who had made it through the initial assessment in Austria in January.“After four intensive days’ testing in Almeria, finishing yesterday, and four equally rigorous days’ trials in Melk in January, as you can imagine we’d amassed a huge amount of data,” said W Series CEO Catherine Bond Muir said.“So our judges, led by Dave Ryan, then crunched that data in order to determine who would be the 18 drivers to contest the first ever single-seater racing series for female drivers.
“To those drivers who didn’t make it through, I offer my commiserations, of course, but I also say ‘well done’.
“All our drivers worked diligently, studied hard, and drove well, including those who didn’t make it through.
“To the 18 drivers who did make it through, I say ‘big congrats and very well done’.”
The four-day test in Almeria marked the drivers' first opportunity to sample the series' Tatuus T-318 car.
The first 12 names on the grid were selected on the basis of the first three days of running, leaving the final day as a shoot-out for the remaining six places in the roster, as well as the four reserve driver slots.
Sarah Bovy, Vivien Keszthelyi, Stephane Kox and Francesca Linossi have been named as the reserves for the inaugural W Series.
Meanwhile, those missing out entirely include ARCA driver Natalie Decker and ex-Formula 2 racer Natalia Kowalska.
W Series racing director Ryan said: “It’s been tough on a few of the women, but to be honest the ones that have gone through have done a really good job over the four days in Almeria.
“That’s the end of one part and the start of another. We’re all happy, although obviously a couple of the women are disappointed, but that’s sadly how it is and they have just got to keep trying.”
“This has been a more difficult selection process than we ever could have dreamt of in terms of how close it has been across the field,” added fellow W Series chief David Coulthard.
W Series will hold a pre-season test at Lausitzring on April 14-16, before the six-round campaign, running in support of the DTM, begins at Hockenheim on May 4-5.
W Series 2019 grid
Driver BackgroundJamie Chadwick British F3, British GT (GT4 champion)
Sabre Cook Road to Indy, US F4
Marta Garcia Spanish F4
Megan Gilkes F1200 Canada
Esmee Hawkey Porsche Carrera Cup GB
Jessica Hawkins Mini Challenge
Shea Holbrook Lamborghini Super Trofeo
Emma Kimilainen STCC
Miki Koyama Japanese F4
Sarah Moore LMP3, Ginetta Junior (champion)
Tasmin Pepper VW Engen Polo Cup
Vicky Piria GP3, European F3 Open
Alice Powell GP3, Formula Renault UK (champion)
Gosia Rdest Audi TT Cup, GT4
Naomi Schiff Formula Renault 2.0, GT4 European
Beitske Visser Formula Renault 3.5, GT4 European
Fabienne Wohlwend Ferrari Europe
Caitlin Wood Blancpain GT
05-03-2019, 09:15 AM
#5
Moderator
Thread Starter
https://www.motorsport.com/w-series/...ctice/4380471/
Fabienne Wohlwend was third quickest - remaining so for the majority of the session - followed by Naomi Schiff and Beitske Visser in fourth and fifth respectively.
The session was halted briefly by a red flag with just over 20 minutes to go, with the field setting their fastest laps after the restart.
Sarah Moore was sixth fastest, while Miki Koyama was seventh and Powell ultimately slipped back to eighth on the timesheets.
South Africa's Tasmin Pepper was ninth, while Marta Garcia - returning to single-seater racing this weekend - rounded out the top 10.
Twenty cars in total competed in the opening practice session of the inaugural weekend, with both reserve drivers - Vivien Keszthelyi and Sarah Bovy - claiming 17th and 11th respectively.
Jamie Chadwick topped the first ever official W Series practice session at Hockenheim, with a fastest time of 1m38.650 seconds.
Chadwick led the way for most of the session - initially trading fastest lap with Alice Powell in the first 15 minutes - and ended the first free practice session just under a second faster than Emma Kimilainen, who set a lap fast enough for second in the latter half of the session.Fabienne Wohlwend was third quickest - remaining so for the majority of the session - followed by Naomi Schiff and Beitske Visser in fourth and fifth respectively.
The session was halted briefly by a red flag with just over 20 minutes to go, with the field setting their fastest laps after the restart.
Sarah Moore was sixth fastest, while Miki Koyama was seventh and Powell ultimately slipped back to eighth on the timesheets.
South Africa's Tasmin Pepper was ninth, while Marta Garcia - returning to single-seater racing this weekend - rounded out the top 10.
Twenty cars in total competed in the opening practice session of the inaugural weekend, with both reserve drivers - Vivien Keszthelyi and Sarah Bovy - claiming 17th and 11th respectively.
05-06-2019, 11:14 AM
#6
Moderator
Thread Starter
https://www.autoblog.com/2019/05/06/...amie-chadwick/
The new W Series, which aims to help women such as inaugural race winner Jamie Chadwick make it to Formula One, could itself be on the fast track to joining the grand prix circus.
Former racer David Coulthard, a key player behind the scenes, said at Hockenheim there had already been discussions about the W Series featuring on the Formula One support program.
"Australia wanted us to be there for the first race. They're a government-funded event and for them they would have no problem bringing us down there," the Scot told reporters after Saturday's race.
"I was really excited; 'We've got to be in Australia, at the grand prix, the first race.' And the team were just, 'To go there, on that stage, if we don't get it right for whatever reason...'. So they made the right decision. I was being emotional."
Coulthard, chairman of the W Series advisory board, said next year could be a definite option.
The women have only six races this year, all supporting the German Touring Car (DTM) championship, in identical Formula Three cars with the finale at Britain's Brands Hatch in August.
"There's a few grand prix tracks where the undercard is not controlled by Formula One," said Coulthard. "I think it would be quite interesting if there was a little bit of pressure applied to F1.
"We are very happy partnering with DTM. This is their first race. But we could have additional races in the same way that our competitors are not locked in to W (Series)."
Chadwick, who dominated the Hockenheim weekend, is also an Aston Martin factory junior driver and remains free to race in other events and series.
The 20-year-old, who was fastest in both practice sessions, beat out compatriot Alice Powell, and Marta Garcia of Spain was third.
Chadwick, who was already the first woman to win a British GT championship and the first to win a British Formula 3 championship race, did not have an ideal start on the Hockenheimring as she lost the lead on the first lap when she ran wide at the hairpin. Then the safety car was out after an incident involving Megan Gilkes of Canada and Emma Kimilainen of Finland. Chadwick quickly regained the lead.
W Series aims to promote women drivers and help them compete against men further up the motorsport ladder and Coulthard said the concept interested Formula One owners Liberty Media.
"I think it fits perfectly with the new owners (Liberty) and everything they stand for and what they are doing," said Coulthard.
"We have had a conversation, they would like to see how it develops."
It has been 43 years since a woman raced in Formula One, and only five have ever tried to compete in a grand prix since the championship started in 1950.
Chadwick felt she could aspire to moving up the ladder but Formula One will depend ultimately on being sufficiently competitive to secure the points-based super license.
W Series chief executive Catherine Bond-Muir said the governing FIA would consider at the end of the season whether to award license points and how many.
Drivers need to have acquired at least 40 points and winning a national F3 championship is currently worth 10.
Chadwick said she did not want any 'token pass.'
"This year the focus is the W Series, next year who knows what the focus will be," she said. "It's all about making the best progress I can.
"One thing motorsport is awful at is it doesn't allow time for development. You get written off very fast, so what the W Series is offering is a bit of time for development.
"I feel like there's the potential there to race in the top levels of motorsport."
Former racer David Coulthard, a key player behind the scenes, said at Hockenheim there had already been discussions about the W Series featuring on the Formula One support program.
"Australia wanted us to be there for the first race. They're a government-funded event and for them they would have no problem bringing us down there," the Scot told reporters after Saturday's race.
"I was really excited; 'We've got to be in Australia, at the grand prix, the first race.' And the team were just, 'To go there, on that stage, if we don't get it right for whatever reason...'. So they made the right decision. I was being emotional."
Coulthard, chairman of the W Series advisory board, said next year could be a definite option.
The women have only six races this year, all supporting the German Touring Car (DTM) championship, in identical Formula Three cars with the finale at Britain's Brands Hatch in August.
"There's a few grand prix tracks where the undercard is not controlled by Formula One," said Coulthard. "I think it would be quite interesting if there was a little bit of pressure applied to F1.
"We are very happy partnering with DTM. This is their first race. But we could have additional races in the same way that our competitors are not locked in to W (Series)."
Chadwick, who dominated the Hockenheim weekend, is also an Aston Martin factory junior driver and remains free to race in other events and series.
The 20-year-old, who was fastest in both practice sessions, beat out compatriot Alice Powell, and Marta Garcia of Spain was third.
Chadwick, who was already the first woman to win a British GT championship and the first to win a British Formula 3 championship race, did not have an ideal start on the Hockenheimring as she lost the lead on the first lap when she ran wide at the hairpin. Then the safety car was out after an incident involving Megan Gilkes of Canada and Emma Kimilainen of Finland. Chadwick quickly regained the lead.
W Series aims to promote women drivers and help them compete against men further up the motorsport ladder and Coulthard said the concept interested Formula One owners Liberty Media.
"I think it fits perfectly with the new owners (Liberty) and everything they stand for and what they are doing," said Coulthard.
"We have had a conversation, they would like to see how it develops."
It has been 43 years since a woman raced in Formula One, and only five have ever tried to compete in a grand prix since the championship started in 1950.
Chadwick felt she could aspire to moving up the ladder but Formula One will depend ultimately on being sufficiently competitive to secure the points-based super license.
W Series chief executive Catherine Bond-Muir said the governing FIA would consider at the end of the season whether to award license points and how many.
Drivers need to have acquired at least 40 points and winning a national F3 championship is currently worth 10.
Chadwick said she did not want any 'token pass.'
"This year the focus is the W Series, next year who knows what the focus will be," she said. "It's all about making the best progress I can.
"One thing motorsport is awful at is it doesn't allow time for development. You get written off very fast, so what the W Series is offering is a bit of time for development.
"I feel like there's the potential there to race in the top levels of motorsport."
05-20-2019, 08:03 AM
#7
Moderator
Thread Starter
https://www.motorsport.com/w-series/...dwick/4391106/
Beitske Visser took victory in the second-ever W Series race at Zolder with a commanding lead of almost eight and a half seconds over pole-sitter, and opening round winner, Jamie Chadwick.
Visser narrowly missed out on pole to Chadwick in the earlier qualifying session, but capitalised on confusion over the waving of the green flag at the start to take the lead from the line.The initial confusion was caused by a car failure for Sarah Bovy at the end of the formation lap, which subsequently bought out a safety car for the duration of the first two laps of the race.
Despite an attempt from Chadwick to repass, Visser held onto the lead at the restart before another safety car period was triggered as a result of an incident involving Esmee Hawkey, Gosia Rdest and Vivien Kesztheyli – the latter making her W Series race debut in place of Emma Kimilainen, who was taken ill on Friday.
Nonetheless, Visser retained the lead once again on the second restart and began to pull a significant advantage over championship leader Chadwick, ultimately crossing the line to take her first victory in the series with an impressive margin of 8.451 seconds.
Meanwhile, Chadwick successfully defended from a challenge for second from Alice Powell in the closing stages of the race.Powell made a late-move on the inside of Chadwick to take second, with the pair duelling wheel-to-wheel for a further lap before Chadwick finally retook the position on the inside of the second corner on the penultimate lap.
Marta Garcia just missed out on another podium and was fourth, having fended off pressure from Sarah Moore in the early part of the race.Moore was then forced to turn her attention to defending from Tasmin Pepper and Fabienne Wohlwend in a race-long battle for fifth, sixth and seventh position.
Miki Koyama also joined that duel in the second half of the race, in another impressive showing, having gone from 13th on the grid at the start to finish in eighth place.
Vicky Piria was ninth, after having maintained her advantage over a chasing Naomi Schiff, who completed the top 10.
Despite an attempt from Chadwick to repass, Visser held onto the lead at the restart before another safety car period was triggered as a result of an incident involving Esmee Hawkey, Gosia Rdest and Vivien Kesztheyli – the latter making her W Series race debut in place of Emma Kimilainen, who was taken ill on Friday.
Nonetheless, Visser retained the lead once again on the second restart and began to pull a significant advantage over championship leader Chadwick, ultimately crossing the line to take her first victory in the series with an impressive margin of 8.451 seconds.
Meanwhile, Chadwick successfully defended from a challenge for second from Alice Powell in the closing stages of the race.Powell made a late-move on the inside of Chadwick to take second, with the pair duelling wheel-to-wheel for a further lap before Chadwick finally retook the position on the inside of the second corner on the penultimate lap.
Marta Garcia just missed out on another podium and was fourth, having fended off pressure from Sarah Moore in the early part of the race.Moore was then forced to turn her attention to defending from Tasmin Pepper and Fabienne Wohlwend in a race-long battle for fifth, sixth and seventh position.
Miki Koyama also joined that duel in the second half of the race, in another impressive showing, having gone from 13th on the grid at the start to finish in eighth place.
Vicky Piria was ninth, after having maintained her advantage over a chasing Naomi Schiff, who completed the top 10.
Trending Topics
07-22-2019, 11:12 AM
#9
Moderator
Thread Starter
https://www.motorsport.com/w-series/...assen/4498453/
Megan Gilkes narrowly took her maiden W Series victory over Alice Powell in a photo-finish to the non-championship race at Assen, leading the whole race from reverse-grid pole.
The one-off experimental race was run with a reverse grid based on the championship standings, with Gilkes starting from pole ahead of reserve driver Sarah Bovy.
Canadian driver Gilkes led the race from the start, but by the final lap of the 30-minute sprint race was under pressure in an eight-car battle for the lead.
The 17-year-old crossed the finish line side-by-side with Saturday podium finisher Powell, who had started the race from 17th place but had climbed to sixth by the end of the first two laps.
Next in the eight-car battle and completing the podium positions was Sabre Cook.
Cook had managed to just fend off the attack of the Saturday race winner Emma Kimilainen, who had cut through the field from 15th on the grid to finish fourth.
Jessica Hawkins was fifth, having also challenged Gilkes for the lead for a time only to lose out at a restart after a safety car period, caused when Gosia Rdest spun into the gravel along with Fabienne Wohlwend.
Rdest had been pitched into the gravel by contact with Bovy, who had maintained her second place for much of the race, but began to slip back through the order after an attempted battle with Gilkes for the lead meant she ran wide off-track.
Tasmin Pepper was sixth, ahead of Naomi Schiff and points leader Jamie Chadwick who was the last in that lead battle despite having started from the very rear of the field. Vicky Piria and Sarah Moore completed the top 10.
Chadwick’s only remaining championship rival Beitske Visser had been the higher placed driver of the pair for the early stages of the race, having climbed to 14th from 19th on the first lap alone - but ultimately did not make it any further forward.
Shea Holbrook was the only other retirement besides Rdest, also spinning into the gravel and causing the first of the safety car periods around the midway point of the race.
Canadian driver Gilkes led the race from the start, but by the final lap of the 30-minute sprint race was under pressure in an eight-car battle for the lead.
The 17-year-old crossed the finish line side-by-side with Saturday podium finisher Powell, who had started the race from 17th place but had climbed to sixth by the end of the first two laps.
Next in the eight-car battle and completing the podium positions was Sabre Cook.
Cook had managed to just fend off the attack of the Saturday race winner Emma Kimilainen, who had cut through the field from 15th on the grid to finish fourth.
Jessica Hawkins was fifth, having also challenged Gilkes for the lead for a time only to lose out at a restart after a safety car period, caused when Gosia Rdest spun into the gravel along with Fabienne Wohlwend.
Rdest had been pitched into the gravel by contact with Bovy, who had maintained her second place for much of the race, but began to slip back through the order after an attempted battle with Gilkes for the lead meant she ran wide off-track.
Tasmin Pepper was sixth, ahead of Naomi Schiff and points leader Jamie Chadwick who was the last in that lead battle despite having started from the very rear of the field. Vicky Piria and Sarah Moore completed the top 10.
Chadwick’s only remaining championship rival Beitske Visser had been the higher placed driver of the pair for the early stages of the race, having climbed to 14th from 19th on the first lap alone - but ultimately did not make it any further forward.
Shea Holbrook was the only other retirement besides Rdest, also spinning into the gravel and causing the first of the safety car periods around the midway point of the race.
07-29-2019, 10:33 AM
#10
Moderator
Thread Starter
07-29-2019, 10:34 AM
#11
Moderator
Thread Starter
Pretty interesting. I didn't know about the car/engineer lottery, and that the drivers only have to pay to get to their local airport.
09-11-2019, 04:21 PM
#12
Moderator
Thread Starter
https://www.motorsport.com/w-series/...8890/?nrt=6030
Former IndyCar racer Katherine Legge and Abbie Eaton are among 14 drivers who will take part in the 2020 W Series selection test at Almeria next week.
The top 12 drivers from the inaugural championship automatically qualified for a place on the grid next year, leaving eight seats up for grabs
Those places will be decided in a test at the Spanish venue on September 16-18, where W Series chiefs using it to evaluate how the 14 new contenders compare to those who raced in the championship this year but missed out on an automatic berth.
Legge, whose career also includes a stint in Formula E, now races full-time in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Meyer Shank Racing
Eaton became a household name in the UK via her test driver role on the Amazon Grand Tour series, and has been racing in Supercars feeder series Super2 this season.
Other contenders include Spanish Formula 4 race winner Belen Garcia and 2014 US F1600 champion Ayla Agren, who was controversially not selected for the inaugural season.
Agren's former Road to Indy rival Bruna Tomaselli and European Le Mans Series racer Michelle Gatting, who raced in the Le Mans 24 Hours with the all-female Kessel Ferrari team, are likewise on the list.
Beitske Visser and Miki Koyama will attend the test to set benchmark times for the new hopefuls.
W Series race director Dave Ryan told Motorsport.com the focus of the Almeria test would be "to look at the drivers in the actual race cars and see how they get on working with the engineers, how they adapt to the racecar itself, and to look at how they performed over the course of two or three days at the circuit".
He added: “We want to get the highest quality grid we can. It’s really difficult, because these drivers are all competing at different championships to different levels, different age groups, some haven’t been driving for a little while, but did used to drive to a high standard.
"So it’s a question of trying to filter through all that and get drivers who deserve to be up there.”
Around 40 drivers applied for a place on the W Series grid. Of those, 12 were invited directly to the Almeria test, while another 13 were invited to an assessment day at the championship headquarters in Surrey last week.
Drivers ran at Assen and the Norisring on the series’ simulators, with Eaton and Abbie Munro chosen for the Almeria test of the drivers who participated.
“We have too many applicants and we can’t give every applicant the same opportunities,” Ryan added. “We had to try to filter the applicants to see who looks like they present the best potential going forwards, and then bring them into the programme as best we can. Were a bit of a victim of our own success, in some ways.”
Despite the increase in interest from last season, Ryan said increasing the grid beyond 20 cars “had not been discussed”.
Those places will be decided in a test at the Spanish venue on September 16-18, where W Series chiefs using it to evaluate how the 14 new contenders compare to those who raced in the championship this year but missed out on an automatic berth.
Legge, whose career also includes a stint in Formula E, now races full-time in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Meyer Shank Racing
Eaton became a household name in the UK via her test driver role on the Amazon Grand Tour series, and has been racing in Supercars feeder series Super2 this season.
Other contenders include Spanish Formula 4 race winner Belen Garcia and 2014 US F1600 champion Ayla Agren, who was controversially not selected for the inaugural season.
Agren's former Road to Indy rival Bruna Tomaselli and European Le Mans Series racer Michelle Gatting, who raced in the Le Mans 24 Hours with the all-female Kessel Ferrari team, are likewise on the list.
Beitske Visser and Miki Koyama will attend the test to set benchmark times for the new hopefuls.
W Series race director Dave Ryan told Motorsport.com the focus of the Almeria test would be "to look at the drivers in the actual race cars and see how they get on working with the engineers, how they adapt to the racecar itself, and to look at how they performed over the course of two or three days at the circuit".
He added: “We want to get the highest quality grid we can. It’s really difficult, because these drivers are all competing at different championships to different levels, different age groups, some haven’t been driving for a little while, but did used to drive to a high standard.
"So it’s a question of trying to filter through all that and get drivers who deserve to be up there.”
Around 40 drivers applied for a place on the W Series grid. Of those, 12 were invited directly to the Almeria test, while another 13 were invited to an assessment day at the championship headquarters in Surrey last week.
Drivers ran at Assen and the Norisring on the series’ simulators, with Eaton and Abbie Munro chosen for the Almeria test of the drivers who participated.
“We have too many applicants and we can’t give every applicant the same opportunities,” Ryan added. “We had to try to filter the applicants to see who looks like they present the best potential going forwards, and then bring them into the programme as best we can. Were a bit of a victim of our own success, in some ways.”
Despite the increase in interest from last season, Ryan said increasing the grid beyond 20 cars “had not been discussed”.
2019 Drivers with 2020 Seats
Jamie Chadwick
Beitske Visser
Alice Powell
Marta Garcia
Emma Kimilainen
Fabienne Wohlwend
Miki Koyama
Sarah Moore
Vicky Piria
Tasmin Pepper
Sabre Cook
Jessica Hawkins
2019 Drivers without 2020 Seats
Caitlin Wood
Gosia Rdest
Naomi Schiff
Esmee Hawkey
Vivien Keszthelyi
Megan Gilkes
Sarah Bovy
Shea Holbrook
Contenders for 2020 Seats
Abbie Eaton
Abbie Munro
Anna Inotsume
Ayla Agren
Belen Garcia
Bruna Tomaselli
Chelsea Herbert
Courtney Crone
Gabriela Jilkova
Hannah Grisham
Irina Sidorkova
Katherine Legge
Michelle Gatting
Nerea Marti
Jamie Chadwick
Beitske Visser
Alice Powell
Marta Garcia
Emma Kimilainen
Fabienne Wohlwend
Miki Koyama
Sarah Moore
Vicky Piria
Tasmin Pepper
Sabre Cook
Jessica Hawkins
2019 Drivers without 2020 Seats
Caitlin Wood
Gosia Rdest
Naomi Schiff
Esmee Hawkey
Vivien Keszthelyi
Megan Gilkes
Sarah Bovy
Shea Holbrook
Contenders for 2020 Seats
Abbie Eaton
Abbie Munro
Anna Inotsume
Ayla Agren
Belen Garcia
Bruna Tomaselli
Chelsea Herbert
Courtney Crone
Gabriela Jilkova
Hannah Grisham
Irina Sidorkova
Katherine Legge
Michelle Gatting
Nerea Marti
10-22-2019, 09:53 AM
#14
Moderator
Thread Starter
https://www.motorsport.com/w-series/...dwick/4560879/
Beitske Visser, Netherlands
Alice Powell, UK
Marta Garcia, Spain
Emma Kimilainen, Finland
Fabienne Wohlwend, Liechtenstein
Miki Koyama, Japan
Sarah Moore, UK
Vicky Piria, Italy
Tasmin Pepper, South Africa
Jessica Hawkins, UK
Sabre Cook, USA
Ayla Agren, Norway
Abbie Eaton, UK
Belen Garcia, Spain
Nerea Martin, Spain
Irina Sidorkova, Russia
Bruna Tomaselli, Brazil
The W Series has named 18 of the 20 drivers that will contest its second season in 2020, with six new names added and champion Jamie Chadwick returning to defend her title.
The drivers who finished within the top 12 in the series' inaugural season were all guaranteed a place on the grid should they choose to return, and all of them - including Chadwick, her title rival Beitske Visser and fellow W Series race winners Alice Powell, Marta Garcia and Emma Kimilainen - have taken up that option
Six more entrants have been selected from the 14 that took part in the Almeria test at September. A further two drivers for the season are yet to be named, with the series expanding from an 18-car grid to a 20-car one for its second season.
"I was generally impressed by the 14 drivers whom we tested and appraised at Almeria last month, and making our selection was correspondingly difficult," the series' racing director Dave Ryan said
"But we’ve crunched all the data to the best of our ability, and I’m therefore confident that the 18 drivers whom we’ve selected so far represent an excellent line-up. But we’ve left two spaces available, to allow us a little more time to select the final two drivers who, together with the 18 drivers we’ve already selected, will make up the 20 drivers who’ll contest the 2020 W Series championship.
“However, all the stars of our 2019 season will race again with us in 2020 – including Jamie, who’ll be defending her crown, as well as Beitske, Alice, Marta and Emma, who all won races with us last year – but some of the new drivers on our 2020 entry list are clearly very good too. I’m consequently hoping our 2020 season will be even better than our 2019 season.”
The new drivers confirmed for the series' 2020 season are Abbie Eaton, Ayla Agren, Nerea Marti, Belen Garcia, Irina Sidorkova and Bruna Tomaselli.
Eaton, perhaps best known for her role as the test driver for Amazon's Grand Tour TV show, has won titles on the UK club scene and has had outings in British GT, Blancpain GT and Supercars support series Super2.
Road to Indy regulars Agren and Tomaselli were both among those taking part in the selection process for the initial 2019 grid, but did not make the cut. The former has a F1600 title to her name but has been largely sidelined from racing in the recent season, while Tomaselli finished eighth in this season's USF2000.
Belen Garcia and Marti both hail from Spanish F4, and finished first and second respectively in a penalty-laden second race of the series' 2019 campaign at Navarro.
Sidorkova, the youngest driver of those confirmed at 16, is another F4 racer, having combined campaigns in Spanish F4 and SMP F4 this year and scoring a pair of podium finishes in the latter.
It is understood the remaining two spaces on the grid could go to either other drivers involved in the September process or some of those who finished outside the top 12 in the inaugural championship.
Six more entrants have been selected from the 14 that took part in the Almeria test at September. A further two drivers for the season are yet to be named, with the series expanding from an 18-car grid to a 20-car one for its second season.
"I was generally impressed by the 14 drivers whom we tested and appraised at Almeria last month, and making our selection was correspondingly difficult," the series' racing director Dave Ryan said
"But we’ve crunched all the data to the best of our ability, and I’m therefore confident that the 18 drivers whom we’ve selected so far represent an excellent line-up. But we’ve left two spaces available, to allow us a little more time to select the final two drivers who, together with the 18 drivers we’ve already selected, will make up the 20 drivers who’ll contest the 2020 W Series championship.
“However, all the stars of our 2019 season will race again with us in 2020 – including Jamie, who’ll be defending her crown, as well as Beitske, Alice, Marta and Emma, who all won races with us last year – but some of the new drivers on our 2020 entry list are clearly very good too. I’m consequently hoping our 2020 season will be even better than our 2019 season.”
The new drivers confirmed for the series' 2020 season are Abbie Eaton, Ayla Agren, Nerea Marti, Belen Garcia, Irina Sidorkova and Bruna Tomaselli.
Eaton, perhaps best known for her role as the test driver for Amazon's Grand Tour TV show, has won titles on the UK club scene and has had outings in British GT, Blancpain GT and Supercars support series Super2.
Road to Indy regulars Agren and Tomaselli were both among those taking part in the selection process for the initial 2019 grid, but did not make the cut. The former has a F1600 title to her name but has been largely sidelined from racing in the recent season, while Tomaselli finished eighth in this season's USF2000.
Belen Garcia and Marti both hail from Spanish F4, and finished first and second respectively in a penalty-laden second race of the series' 2019 campaign at Navarro.
Sidorkova, the youngest driver of those confirmed at 16, is another F4 racer, having combined campaigns in Spanish F4 and SMP F4 this year and scoring a pair of podium finishes in the latter.
It is understood the remaining two spaces on the grid could go to either other drivers involved in the September process or some of those who finished outside the top 12 in the inaugural championship.
2020 W Series roster so far
Jamie Chadwick, UKBeitske Visser, Netherlands
Alice Powell, UK
Marta Garcia, Spain
Emma Kimilainen, Finland
Fabienne Wohlwend, Liechtenstein
Miki Koyama, Japan
Sarah Moore, UK
Vicky Piria, Italy
Tasmin Pepper, South Africa
Jessica Hawkins, UK
Sabre Cook, USA
Ayla Agren, Norway
Abbie Eaton, UK
Belen Garcia, Spain
Nerea Martin, Spain
Irina Sidorkova, Russia
Bruna Tomaselli, Brazil
10-31-2019, 09:43 AM
#15
Moderator
Thread Starter
https://www.autoblog.com/2019/10/30/...icense-points/
Britain's Jamie Chadwick will have to leave the all-female W series if she retains the title next year under new rules that bar the champion from returning to defend her crown in future, organizers said on Tuesday.
Chadwick, 21, won this year's inaugural championship and $500,000 prize money and is returning next year when points are being awarded for the first time towards a Formula One super license
Another title would bar her from competing in 2021, however.
"W Series has been granted FIA super license points eligibility, and one of the criteria attached to that is that the winning driver ... may not compete in consecutive W Series championships," said racing director Dave Ryan.
"That restriction will apply going forward," he added in an interview conducted by the series.
"It does mean that whoever is W Series champion in 2020 will not be permitted to take part in the 2021 W Series championship, and so on."
The ruling did not apply to this year because license points were not available.
The W Series has announced the names of 18 of the 20 drivers who will compete next year, and Ryan said the final two depended on scheduling issues that the drivers wanted more time to resolve.
The series uses identical 1.8-liter Formula Three cars and aims to help female racers climb the male-dominated motorsport ladder towards Formula One, which last saw a woman start a race in 1976.
Season two looks set to feature more than the current six races, but Ryan said the calendar had yet to be finalized.
"We’ll still race alongside our great partners DTM (the German Touring Car championship), for the majority or perhaps even the totality of our race fixtures," he said.
There has been talk of W Series expanding outside of Europe to serve as a support race at next year's U.S. and Mexican Formula One Grands Prix.
Chadwick, 21, won this year's inaugural championship and $500,000 prize money and is returning next year when points are being awarded for the first time towards a Formula One super license
Another title would bar her from competing in 2021, however.
"W Series has been granted FIA super license points eligibility, and one of the criteria attached to that is that the winning driver ... may not compete in consecutive W Series championships," said racing director Dave Ryan.
"That restriction will apply going forward," he added in an interview conducted by the series.
"It does mean that whoever is W Series champion in 2020 will not be permitted to take part in the 2021 W Series championship, and so on."
The ruling did not apply to this year because license points were not available.
The W Series has announced the names of 18 of the 20 drivers who will compete next year, and Ryan said the final two depended on scheduling issues that the drivers wanted more time to resolve.
The series uses identical 1.8-liter Formula Three cars and aims to help female racers climb the male-dominated motorsport ladder towards Formula One, which last saw a woman start a race in 1976.
Season two looks set to feature more than the current six races, but Ryan said the calendar had yet to be finalized.
"We’ll still race alongside our great partners DTM (the German Touring Car championship), for the majority or perhaps even the totality of our race fixtures," he said.
There has been talk of W Series expanding outside of Europe to serve as a support race at next year's U.S. and Mexican Formula One Grands Prix.
12-04-2019, 10:53 AM
#16
Moderator
Thread Starter
https://www.autoblog.com/2019/12/02/...nlsrUXFzL3IQCg
Jamie Chadwick, winner of this year's inaugural all-female W Series, will race in the Asian F3 championship that starts in Malaysia on Dec. 14, the Absolute Racing team said on Monday.
The 15-race series, which also ends at Malaysia's Sepang circuit, includes rounds in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Thailand between December and February with three races at each location
The FIA-sanctioned regional championship, like next year's W Series, also offers points towards the Super License that drivers need to graduate to Formula One.
"It is important for me to use this series as part of my testing and development program to ensure that I am race-fit for whatever 2020 throws at me," said Chadwick, who will also be returning to the W Series next year.
"Due to other commitments, I will only get my first opportunity to drive the car at the opening race in Sepang next week, so it will be a steep learning curve.
"But that’s all part of the process, and I can’t wait to get back out on the track," added the 21-year-old, who served as a Williams Formula One development driver this year.
The Briton, who banked $500,000 for winning the W Series, which uses F3 cars, will miss pre-season testing due to being one of four finalists in the Aston Martin BRDC Autosport Young Driver of the Year award that will be announced in London on Sunday.
The driver who wins the prestigious award gets a test in a Red Bull Formula One car plus 200,000 pounds ($256,000).
The 15-race series, which also ends at Malaysia's Sepang circuit, includes rounds in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Thailand between December and February with three races at each location
The FIA-sanctioned regional championship, like next year's W Series, also offers points towards the Super License that drivers need to graduate to Formula One.
"It is important for me to use this series as part of my testing and development program to ensure that I am race-fit for whatever 2020 throws at me," said Chadwick, who will also be returning to the W Series next year.
"Due to other commitments, I will only get my first opportunity to drive the car at the opening race in Sepang next week, so it will be a steep learning curve.
"But that’s all part of the process, and I can’t wait to get back out on the track," added the 21-year-old, who served as a Williams Formula One development driver this year.
The Briton, who banked $500,000 for winning the W Series, which uses F3 cars, will miss pre-season testing due to being one of four finalists in the Aston Martin BRDC Autosport Young Driver of the Year award that will be announced in London on Sunday.
The driver who wins the prestigious award gets a test in a Red Bull Formula One car plus 200,000 pounds ($256,000).
09-29-2022, 12:58 PM
#17
Moderator
Thread Starter
https://jalopnik.com/w-series-may-no...cia-1849593284
W Series, the open-wheel junior series contested solely by women in fully-funded rides, could be in dire straits, The Telegraph reports — to the point that the final races of this season are in jeopardy. This comes down to a combination of the high costs of starting a new race series and the recent plummeting of the British pound.
The Telegraph reports that sources informed the publication of significant financial concerns. As W Series heads to Singapore for its upcoming race this weekend, Telegraph says that a bare-bones crew will “not be sending anyone” in the series support crew to Asia. Further, Telegraph reports that other sources claim the series hasn’t paid “invoices worth thousands of pounds, some of which date back months” while Velocity Experience, the owner of W Series, is in debt.
It also provides some background:
Companies House is a registrar for British companies; it regulates and maintains company records. The aforementioned £7.5 million debt is considered a fairly normal expense for a massive start-up company, especially one that involves motorsport.
However, financial backers that could ease that debt have not been forthcoming, and The Telegraph reports that Bond Muir disclosed the difficulties of even finishing out last year — something that is only now exacerbated by an alleged American investor backing out at the very last moment.
Bond Muir is confident that W Series will soldier on, even if it just takes some financial finagling to eke out the rest of this season. But if worst comes to worst, The Telegraph notes that the final races of W Series’ season — doubleheaders in Austin and Mexico City — could fail to go ahead. W Series’ total prize pot of $1.5 million, the publication says, is not guaranteed to be distributed.
The Telegraph reports that sources informed the publication of significant financial concerns. As W Series heads to Singapore for its upcoming race this weekend, Telegraph says that a bare-bones crew will “not be sending anyone” in the series support crew to Asia. Further, Telegraph reports that other sources claim the series hasn’t paid “invoices worth thousands of pounds, some of which date back months” while Velocity Experience, the owner of W Series, is in debt.
It also provides some background:
W Series’ most recent accounts filed with Companies House on Sep 5 showed it had net liabilities of over £7.5million to Dec 31, 2021, which was deemed to be “in line with expectations given the business is in the start-up phase”.
Speaking on Wednesday night [W Series CEO Catherine] Bond Muir said the current global financial crisis, and depreciating pound, had only made her job harder.
Speaking on Wednesday night [W Series CEO Catherine] Bond Muir said the current global financial crisis, and depreciating pound, had only made her job harder.
However, financial backers that could ease that debt have not been forthcoming, and The Telegraph reports that Bond Muir disclosed the difficulties of even finishing out last year — something that is only now exacerbated by an alleged American investor backing out at the very last moment.
Bond Muir is confident that W Series will soldier on, even if it just takes some financial finagling to eke out the rest of this season. But if worst comes to worst, The Telegraph notes that the final races of W Series’ season — doubleheaders in Austin and Mexico City — could fail to go ahead. W Series’ total prize pot of $1.5 million, the publication says, is not guaranteed to be distributed.
10-11-2022, 02:32 PM
#18
Moderator
Thread Starter
https://www.motorsport.com/w-series/...itle/10382839/
A one-week deadline was set to decide whether the final races in the United States and a double-header in Mexico in support of Formula 1 would go ahead, before W Series announced on Monday the season had been curtailed.
W Series said the decision was "made to focus on the longer-term fundraising process to enable the longevity and financial health of W Series into 2023".
As the season completed seven races, surpassing the six-race requirement, the championship is declared official, with Jamie Chadwick securing her third title.
Chadwick scored five victories en route to the championship, finishing 50 points clear of Beitske Visser in second place. Alice Powell rounded out the top three, a further seven points behind.
W Series CEO Catherine Bond Muir told media outlets including Motorsport.com on Monday there had been significant interest from potential investors since news emerged of the financial difficulties, giving her confidence the series would return in 2023.
"We've had offers from a number of people, but the problem is getting money in doesn't happen at the shake of a money tree, and people have got to go through due diligence," explained Bond Muir.
"We believed up until last weekend there was a possibility for us to get to Austin, and we've just had to call it, because obviously there are deadlines on payments and things that need to be done.
"We could have kept it on for a couple of weeks, but we just had to make a pragmatic call today. Going forward, the big message is that I am extremely confident that W Series will be here next year."
Bond Muir informed the W Series drivers of the news earlier on Monday afternoon, and said the championship remained committed to retaining its existing structure going forward to ensure drivers do not need to fund their own seats.
"I think they are concerned about the structure of the business going forward and whether they'd be asked to supply money next year," said Bond Muir.
"I've said as far as we're concerned at the moment, we want to keep the DNA of W Series going, and that we will, it is our intention to still be providing all of the expenses for the drivers.
"We've always said we're about finding the fastest drivers, not the richest drivers."
Bond Muir still expected W Series to pay out the prize money for the drivers based on their finishing position despite the shortened season. Three-time champion Chadwick is due to receive the top prize of $500,000, with a further $1m spread across the rest of the field.
"Where I sit at the moment, it is my expectation that that will be paid out," said Bond Muir. "I can't say 100% until the money plus everything else and the working capital for the business going forward.
"But where I stand at the moment, I don't see any reason why that won't be the case."
W Series has announced it will not complete the final three races of its 2022 season due to fundraising issues, but is “extremely confident” of returning in 2023.
Over the Singapore race weekend, it emerged W Series may not be able to complete its planned campaign after a contracted deal with an American investor collapsed.A one-week deadline was set to decide whether the final races in the United States and a double-header in Mexico in support of Formula 1 would go ahead, before W Series announced on Monday the season had been curtailed.
W Series said the decision was "made to focus on the longer-term fundraising process to enable the longevity and financial health of W Series into 2023".
As the season completed seven races, surpassing the six-race requirement, the championship is declared official, with Jamie Chadwick securing her third title.
Chadwick scored five victories en route to the championship, finishing 50 points clear of Beitske Visser in second place. Alice Powell rounded out the top three, a further seven points behind.
W Series CEO Catherine Bond Muir told media outlets including Motorsport.com on Monday there had been significant interest from potential investors since news emerged of the financial difficulties, giving her confidence the series would return in 2023.
"We've had offers from a number of people, but the problem is getting money in doesn't happen at the shake of a money tree, and people have got to go through due diligence," explained Bond Muir.
"We believed up until last weekend there was a possibility for us to get to Austin, and we've just had to call it, because obviously there are deadlines on payments and things that need to be done.
"We could have kept it on for a couple of weeks, but we just had to make a pragmatic call today. Going forward, the big message is that I am extremely confident that W Series will be here next year."
Bond Muir informed the W Series drivers of the news earlier on Monday afternoon, and said the championship remained committed to retaining its existing structure going forward to ensure drivers do not need to fund their own seats.
"I think they are concerned about the structure of the business going forward and whether they'd be asked to supply money next year," said Bond Muir.
"I've said as far as we're concerned at the moment, we want to keep the DNA of W Series going, and that we will, it is our intention to still be providing all of the expenses for the drivers.
"We've always said we're about finding the fastest drivers, not the richest drivers."
Bond Muir still expected W Series to pay out the prize money for the drivers based on their finishing position despite the shortened season. Three-time champion Chadwick is due to receive the top prize of $500,000, with a further $1m spread across the rest of the field.
"Where I sit at the moment, it is my expectation that that will be paid out," said Bond Muir. "I can't say 100% until the money plus everything else and the working capital for the business going forward.
"But where I stand at the moment, I don't see any reason why that won't be the case."
10-11-2022, 08:17 PM
#19
Senior Moderator
End of the road.
As a globe trotting F3 series with no tv coverage, it must have been very expensive.
As a globe trotting F3 series with no tv coverage, it must have been very expensive.
10-21-2022, 09:13 AM
#20
Moderator
Thread Starter
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/l...save/10387178/
The all-female W Series support category – which operates with the aim of creating a pathway for women to race in F1 – was supposed to stage its penultimate round of the year this weekend in Texas on the undercard of the United States Grand Prix.
However, earlier this month, the championship announced that it had been forced to call off its events in Japan, America, and the Mexico season finale owing to a fundraising shortfall.
This came after a contracted deal with a US investor collapsed to leave the series to focus on raising money for 2023, while Jamie Chadwick was crowned champion for a third time in succession. While the amount needed to finish the campaign has not been made public, UK government agency Companies House shows accounts for 2021 with net liabilities of £7.5million.
Speaking ahead of the United States GP, seven-time F1 champion Hamilton reckoned there had been “100%” an onus on F1 to help W Series to continue.
He said: “100%. I do. Particularly the W Series.
“There has not been enough focus on women in sport for the whole of Formula 1’s life. There is not enough emphasis on it now. They're not magnifying enough the great work that is being done there.
“There is not enough representation across the board within our industry. There is not really a pathway for those young, amazing drivers to even get to Formula 1.
“Then you have some people who say: ‘We’re never going to see a female F1 driver’. That’s not a good narrative to be putting out. So, I think we need to be doing more.”
F1 has enjoyed a massive increase in revenue under its American owner Liberty Media, which took control of the series in 2017.
This commercial success has been led by Netflix smash hit Drive to Survive and a swell in global TV audiences.
With that boost in capital considered, Hamilton said it was “not a lot” for F1 to have stepped in to fund the W Series for the remainder of its season.
The Mercedes driver continued: “With the organisation, with Formula 1 and Liberty doing so well, it was not a lot for them to be able to help out in that space.
“We need to be doing more to encourage young women.”
Hamilton alluded to the Mercedes team’s Accelerate 25 initiative, which was launched in 2020 as a five-year programme to increase diversity and inclusion at Mercedes.
He added: “The work that I am trying to do with Mercedes, for example, trying to get 8000 young girls into the sport.
“Every team should be doing that.”
However, earlier this month, the championship announced that it had been forced to call off its events in Japan, America, and the Mexico season finale owing to a fundraising shortfall.
This came after a contracted deal with a US investor collapsed to leave the series to focus on raising money for 2023, while Jamie Chadwick was crowned champion for a third time in succession. While the amount needed to finish the campaign has not been made public, UK government agency Companies House shows accounts for 2021 with net liabilities of £7.5million.
Speaking ahead of the United States GP, seven-time F1 champion Hamilton reckoned there had been “100%” an onus on F1 to help W Series to continue.
He said: “100%. I do. Particularly the W Series.
“There has not been enough focus on women in sport for the whole of Formula 1’s life. There is not enough emphasis on it now. They're not magnifying enough the great work that is being done there.
“There is not enough representation across the board within our industry. There is not really a pathway for those young, amazing drivers to even get to Formula 1.
“Then you have some people who say: ‘We’re never going to see a female F1 driver’. That’s not a good narrative to be putting out. So, I think we need to be doing more.”
F1 has enjoyed a massive increase in revenue under its American owner Liberty Media, which took control of the series in 2017.
This commercial success has been led by Netflix smash hit Drive to Survive and a swell in global TV audiences.
With that boost in capital considered, Hamilton said it was “not a lot” for F1 to have stepped in to fund the W Series for the remainder of its season.
The Mercedes driver continued: “With the organisation, with Formula 1 and Liberty doing so well, it was not a lot for them to be able to help out in that space.
“We need to be doing more to encourage young women.”
Hamilton alluded to the Mercedes team’s Accelerate 25 initiative, which was launched in 2020 as a five-year programme to increase diversity and inclusion at Mercedes.
He added: “The work that I am trying to do with Mercedes, for example, trying to get 8000 young girls into the sport.
“Every team should be doing that.”
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post