'W Series could create path for woman drivers in F1'
'W Series could create path for woman drivers in F1'
Desire Wilson, the last woman to compete in a grand prix, was impressed with the level of racing on show in the first ever W Series race at Hockenheim on Saturday, and believes that the competition could ultimately see a female return to Formula 1 after decades of male-only races.
The W Series was created in order to encourage further participation by women in motorsport, although has received criticism for the alleged segregation of females rather than providing opportunities in F3 and up.
Chadwick takes first W Series race - but was debut event a winner?Read more
Wilson, who raced for Tyrell in a non-championship meeting at Kyalami in 1981, thinks the quality of racing shows it can be beneficial for the women to showcase their talents.
“I was very impressed,” said the South African.
“There was some really good racing, overtaking, a few aggressive moves, which is good, showing they are on form to race competitively. I was impressed with the competition on track.
“It is overdue for sure, but this has been put together in a clever way,” she added, with regards the possibility of females returning to F1.
“Formula One is a long way away but it is feasible if the series produces a star. They still have to go to F3 and F2 but it is a way for them to make the next step.”
Drivers don’t need to have significant financial backing in order to gain a seat in the series, and are selected on merit. Even though the competition is in its infancy, Wilson believes the intensity of the racing on show at Hockenheim shows that the women are taking it very seriously.
“There is a lot of passion,” she continued.
“It’s not just: ‘Let’s go racing, a free season.’ There is definitely a lot of drivers who see this as an opportunity to do well. I saw a lot of disappointed drivers because they did not do as well as they would have liked, which shows their passion.”
The last woman to feature in F1 was Lella Lombardi in 1976, while Britain's Jamie Chadwick was victorious in the first W Series race this weekend.
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Audi agree STAR driver contract as Mercedes driver tipped for new F1 seat THIS season - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Ferrari show off new-look drivers following HUGE announcement
- Yesterday 22:57
McLaren leading fight for HUGE cash injection
- Yesterday 21:57
Newey set to announce STUNNING Red Bull departure
- Yesterday 17:57
Newey Red Bull exit wish CONFIRMED as F1 guru's reasons revealed
- Yesterday 20:57
F1 legend reveals 'FLOOD' of death threats after controversial decision
- Yesterday 19:57
Related news
British racing star insists F1 is 'way off' for female drivers
Kravitz names the ONLY F1 driver to support W Series
Hamilton gives SUPPORT for ex-rival as he reveals backing for 'important' racing series
W Series enters administration as hopes of return DASHED
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