Women don’t have a very prominent role in motorsport, but the W Series is looking to change that by launching a single-seater racing series designed exclusively for women.
Set to kick off next spring, the W Series aims to attract the world’s best female drivers in an effort to “fast-track women to Formula 1.” The series ultimate goal is be the launching pad for the world’s first female Formula 1 champion.
The series will be free to enter and there will be a prize fund of $1.5 (£1.1 / €1.3) million. In the first season, there will be 18-20 drivers will which will be behind the wheel of a Tatuus T-318 Formula 3 race car. Each features a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine which is mated to a Sadev six-speed sequential transmission.
Each prospective racer will go through a rigorous pre-selection process which involves simulator appraisals, technical engineering tests, fitness trials and on-track testing. The most promising candidates will then be given an opportunity to compete in the inaugural W Series season which will see competitors race at some of the “best and most famous circuits in Europe.”
The series has some pretty big names attached to it including David Coulthard and Adrian Newey who will both be serving on the advisory board.
Coulthard explained his involvement in the series by saying “In order to be a successful racing driver, you have to be skilled, determined, competitive, brave and physically fit, but you don’t have to possess the kind of super-powerful strength levels that some sports require. You also don’t have to be a man.” He went on to say most female racers hit the ‘glass ceiling’ around the GP3 / Formula 3 level often as a result of a lack of funding rather than a lack of talent.
The overall winner of the first season will be paid $500,000 (£378,600 / €433,369). In fact, most drivers will receive compensation as prize money will be awarded all the way down to 18th place in the final standings.
Besides promoting female drivers, the W Series aims to encourage women to enter STEM fields such as science, technology, engineering and math. The series is also looking to the future and says upcoming seasons will include races in America, Asia and Australia.
