A new women-only single-seater racing series has launched to aid the search for top-level female talent. It’s a response to fears that the current progression path towards the upper echelons of racing is biased towards men.
The series will begin in Spring 2019, following a stringent selection process involving track, simulator and fitness testing. A maximum of 20 of the very best will then take to the grid and race in identical Formula 3 cars.
There is a total prize fund of $1.5 million, including $500,000 for the overall winner of the series. Cash prizes go down to 18th place in the final standings.
There is an imbalance
The new series has found favour with many big names in motor racing, from both in and out of the cockpit. Former F1 star David Coulthard is staunchly in support and takes issue with the current male-dominated roads into F1.
“In order to be a successful racing driver, you have to be skilled, determined, competitive, brave and physically fit… You also don’t have to be a man.
“At the moment, women racing drivers tend to reach a ‘glass ceiling’ at around the GP3/Formula 3 level on their learning curve, often as a result of a lack of funding rather than a lack of talent.”
Adrian Newey, one of the all-time great F1 designers and engineers, joins Coulthard in support of the new series. He too cites that it’s the opportunity that is inadequate, not the skills or physical performance ambitious female racers.
“I have a reasonable understanding of the constituents of a top-class driver’s necessary skill-set” says Newey.
“The reason why so few women have so far raced successfully at the highest levels against men may, however, be a lack of opportunity rather than a lack of capability.”
An inspiration for all women in motorsport… not just drivers
The W Series therefore is designed to give prospective female racing talent the stage on which to demonstrate their ability. W Series Racing director, Dave Ryan, says that encouraging women to get more involved in motorsport in all facets, is more important still.
“We want W Series to be a catalyst for positive change for all women in motorsport. We want W Series to encourage more girls and young women to study STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] subjects at schools, colleges and universities, so as to build rewarding careers as race mechanics, technicians, engineers, aerodynamicists and so on.”
The attention that the series is drawing and that it highlights the issue of gender imbalance in motorsport is surely a good thing. It’s one of the main goals of series creator, Catherine Bond Muir, to simply get the spotlight shone on female racing talent.
“There are just too few women competing in single-seaters series at the moment. W Series will increase that number very significantly in 2019, thereby powerfully unleashing the potential of many more female racing drivers.
“W Series drivers will become global superstars – inspirational role models for women everywhere.”
Reaction: W Series
Jamie Chadwick – British F3 winner
Many divided opinions, but personally I feel that any additional opportunity to race is positive ✅ As long as I can continue to live my dream and fulfil my ambition to race at the highest level of motorsport, then I’m happy! ? https://t.co/M5ceEGKe7G
— Jamie Chadwick (@JamieChadwick55) October 10, 2018
Abbie Eaton – first female on Blancpain Endurance Series podium
I’ve won and been on the podium in every series I’ve raced in. So what’s stopping me reaching the very top?
Not my ability. It’s lack of Money.
Why waste money on a segregation? Invest in the already successful female racers that NEED the money. #MoneyMakingScheme #WSeries
— Abbie Eaton (@AbbieEaton44) October 10, 2018
Damon Hill – 1996 F1 World Champion
Great big announcement. Big news for our sport. All the best to @therealdcf1 @TheBishF1 Adrian Newey and the W Series. Great opportunity for female aspiring racing drivers @D2BDofficial etc etc. #f1 https://t.co/gaeHb4rxgR
— Damon Hill (@HillF1) October 10, 2018
David Coulthard – multiple F1 winner
This creates opportunity rather than taking it away and that’s why I believe it’s a day my sister Lynsay would have loved to be part of #ifyouwantafundamentalchangeintheoutcomeyouneedafundamentalchangeintheprocess https://t.co/XdFgYVOww5
— David Coulthard (@therealdcf1) October 10, 2018
Race of Champions
— Race Of Champions (@RaceOfChampions) October 10, 2018