Women only motorsport W Series to support Formula One for 2021 at eight grand prix weekends
ByReuters
Updated 12/11/2020 at 11:56 GMT
The W Series had previously been set to run support races at this year's US and Mexico grand prix weekends, however those races were cancelled, alongside the rest of this year's W Series which was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Series launched the career of Jamie Chadwick who hopes to compete in the Formula One in the future.
Driver Jamie Chadwick of UK poses for a photo during W Series media day at Lausitzring on April 16, 2019 in Hoyerswerda, Germany.
Image credit: Getty Images
The women-only W Series will link up with Formula One next season and beyond with eight support races at grand prix weekends, organisers said on Thursday.
The series started up in 2019 but cancelled racing this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though no details were given about where the women would race, although they had been due to support grands prix in Mexico and the United States this year.
"When we promised that W Series would be bigger and better in the future, partnering with Formula One was always our ultimate objective," said founder and chief executive Catherine Bond Muir in a statement.
"There is no doubt that, now that W Series will be run alongside and in collaboration with Formula One, our global reach, impact and influence will be increased significantly."
Britain's Jamie Chadwick was the inaugural champion of the series, which featured six rounds supporting the German Touring Car Championship (DTM).
The series, which uses identical 1.8 litre Formula Three cars, will be eligible for points towards an FIA super licence needed to race in Formula One.
Formula One, which this week published a draft 2021 calendar with a record 23 races running from Australia in March to Abu Dhabi in December, has not had a female driver compete in a grand prix since Italian Lella Lombardi in 1976.
"It is a really important moment for us to welcome W Series as partners for eight races this season," said Formula One's managing director for motorsport Ross Brawn. "They have been a beacon to many since they began racing in 2019.
"We believe it is incredibly important to give everyone the chance to reach the highest levels of our sport and their partnership with Formula One next season shows our determination and commitment to showcase their exciting series and the importance of building greater diversity across the sport."
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