Paul Jeffrey
Premium
A brand new racing series will arrive next year, dedicated to the development and growth of female racing talent.
Supported by such names as David Coulthard and Adrian Newey, Formula W is set to be a dedicated series for female racing drivers between 18 and 24 who are looking to make the next step on the racing ladder.
Utilising a Tatuus chassis based around Formula 3 regulations, Formula W will be a female exclusive racing series made up of six race events throughout Europe, with further expansions to Australia and Asia planned for future seasons.
One of the most noteworthy features of the new series, and something that can only be a positive for the sport, is the lack of a requirement for female drivers to bring a budget to the championship, the series organisers instead offering 20+ drivers a funded ride in the championship following the undertaking of an extensive development and assessment period, with the goal of securing only the best talent once the field hits the track next season.
Having not seen a female competitor in Grand Prix racing since the ill-fated attempts of Giovanna Amati in 1992, David Coulthard thinks Formula W is essential to see the development of competitive women in motorsport:
"If you want a fundamental change in the outcome, you need a fundamental change in the process. W is a fundamental change in creating an opportunity to bring through female talent to the highest possible level."
The new series will benefit from a $1.5m prize fund across six races in Europe, and will include a round in the UK. The cars will be identical and be provided and run by the championship.
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 Do you like the idea of Formula W? Can the series be a success? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
 Do you like the idea of Formula W? Can the series be a success? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
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