The W Series featured in 8 F1 races

Last year, the W Series appeared on the motorsport scene, claiming to be the ideal platform for young girls to showcase themselves in a common category to gain visibility and then compete with their male rivals.

For this first season, the results are somewhat mixed. Jamie Chadwick won this inaugural edition, which earned her a position as a development driver for Williams. However, this title did not help her secure enough sponsors to complete a full budget for F3. She had planned to return for a second season, but it was canceled due to the global pandemic.

But in 2021, the discipline will gain significantly more visibility as, from six events on the sidelines of DTM races, eight races will take place during F1 weekends. Already for 2020, it was planned to make two appearances in Mexico and the United States before the calendar was disrupted. While the selected races have not yet been revealed, it can be assumed that the two transatlantic stages will be back on the schedule, while the other events should involve Europe.

In addition to this visibility, the FIA provides significant support to the category by making it eligible for the valuable Super License points, an essential requirement for securing a Formula 1 seat. Catherine Bond Muir, the CEO of the promotion series, stated: “We want the W Series to be entertaining, and they will be. But we also want it to become the default option for any young woman looking to pursue a career in motorsports. Our proximity to F1 will help us in this. The fact that the W Series is now eligible for FIA Super License points will also be an important factor.”