W Series partners with Formula 1 for eight races in 2021 and beyond
The women-only international single-seater W Series championship will race at eight Formula 1 events in 2021, officials have announced.
The locations and dates of the rounds are yet to be confirmed, but plans have already been announced for the series to join support categories at the United States Grand Prix and the Mexican Grand Prix.
The addition to the Formula 1 support grid comes as part of the #WeRaceAsOne initiative, launched in 2020 to “fight the challenges of COVID-19 and global inequality.”
Ross Brawn, Managing Director of Motorsport at Formula 1, said “it is a really important moment for us to welcome W Series as partners for eight races this season.”
“We believe it is incredibly important to give everyone the chance to reach the highest levels of our sport and their partnership with Formula 1 next season shows our determination and commitment to showcase their exciting series and the importance of building greater diversity across the sport."
The W Series made its debut in 2019, with drivers contesting six events before Britain’s Jamie Chadwick was crowned the inaugural champion.
Chadwick has since joined F1 team Williams Racing as a development driver.
"After such a successful inaugural season, we at W Series are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Formula 1 for 2021 and beyond,” said Catherine Bond Muir, W Series Chief Executive Officer.
"Formula 1 is by some margin the world’s premier motor racing series, and, when we promised that W Series would be bigger and better in the future, partnering with Formula 1 was always our ultimate objective. There is no doubt that, now that W Series will be run alongside and in collaboration with Formula 1, our global reach, impact and influence will be increased significantly.”
The announcement comes just days after F1 confirmed its 23-race calendar for 2021.
The F2 and F3 schedules were also launched this week.
"Everything that made W Series so popular and successful in 2019 will remain,” said Bond Muir.
“The cars will be identical, the racing will be close and competitive, and our mission will always be to further the interests and prospects of female racing drivers. We want W Series to entertain, and entertain it will. But we also want it to become a crucial default-option stepping stone for any female racing driver who wants to carve out a professional racing career, and our proximity to Formula 1 will help and enhance that process. The fact that W Series is now eligible for FIA Super Licence points will also be an important factor in that regard.
"We are very grateful to Chase Carey, Ross Brawn and their colleagues for having faith in W Series, and for prioritising diversity and inclusion in this way, and we intend to help them drive forwards their excellent #WeRaceAsOne programme this year and in years to come."
