All-women racing series launched to find female F1 stars
All-women racing series launched to find female F1 stars
An all-female racing series has been launched by a group led by ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard in an attempt to provide a platform for women racers to reach F1. The W Series will be launched in 2019, promising a $500,000 prize to its inaugural winner.
Alongside Coulthard is F1 design genius Adrian Newey, former McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan, and Matt Bishop, an ex-F1 journalist and chief of communications at McLaren.
The series is launched with the stated aim of proving female drivers are good enough to race in F1 – a woman has not started a grand prix since the 1970s.
Women in F1 was a hot topic earlier this year when former Lotus and Renault test driver Carmen Jorda suggested Formula 1 was too physically demanding for female drivers, who should instead try to break into Formula E – shortly after testing the all-electric series' machinery.
However, 13-time grand prix winner Coulthard says strength is not a barrier to women making it to the upper echelons of motorsport, and hopes that the series can provide the funding that is often lacking when females try to rise through the ranks.
"In order to be a successful racing driver, you have to be skilled, determined, competitive, brave and physically fit," he said.
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
"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. That's why we at W Series firmly believe that female and male racing drivers can compete with one another on equal terms given the same opportunity.
"At the moment, however, 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."
We believe any woman with talent, passion and commitment should have a chance in motorsport. We're here to create those chances and increase participation in a sport we love. #RethinkRacing pic.twitter.com/Ilhq0ZhfLL — W Series (@WSeriesRacing) October 10, 2018
The series has been backed by Tatiana Calderon, Sauber's test and development driver, as well as GP3 racer and Jamie Chadwick, who recently became the first female race winner in British Formula 3.
Not all reaction has been positive – British IndyCar driver Pippa Mann among those to voice opposition to the series on social media in a thread of tweets.
What a sad day for motorsport. Those with funding to help female racers are choosing to segregate them as opposed to supporting them. I am deeply disappointed to see such a historic step backwards take place in my life time. https://t.co/8ZrKqaADwx — Pippa Mann (@PippaMann) October 10, 2018
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 star apologises after China Sprint CLASH
- 19 minutes ago
Alonso reveals MISTAKE cost him in shock Red Bull battle - Top three verdict
- 1 hour ago
F1 star accuses team-mate of ‘crossing the line’ in battle
- 1 hour ago
F1 team lodge FIA PROTEST over Chinese Grand Prix qualifying result
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton in 's*** happens' outburst after huge China failure
- 3 hours ago
F1 News Today: Alonso hit with China PENALTY as Hamilton endures Shanghai nightmare
- 3 hours ago
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860