On the weekend of the first ever W Series race, I discuss my thoughts on the first ever female-only motorsport series aiming to promote female drivers higher up the ladder.
In case you haven’t heard, the W Series is a brand new championship exclusively for female racing drivers to compete in. 18 drivers will fight for the championship over six race weekends across Europe in Formula 3 machinery. The series supports the DTM race events.
The championship is free to enter. The 18 drivers were chosen from testing days that saw all applicants assessed on numerous fronts including driving ability and professionalism by professional racing drivers. A prize pot of $1.5 Million is to be distributed as the end of the championship, with the winner receiving $500,000 to help with further progression in motorsport.
The series has come under criticism for not being the ideal way to promote female talent. One of the loudest voices in criticism has been Sophia Floersch who competed in the FIA Formula 3 Series last year. She feels that segregation is not the ideal way and that girls should compete in the existing championships.
With the large amount of money being spent on the W Series to run it and to give out as prize money. Many feel that this money put to better use by assisting females in progression in existing championships.
Another criticism is that it is actually unsporting to males trying to make it racing. It is not easy to put together the funding and opportunities for anyone, male of female, and this new opportunity makes it significantly easier for skilled females, especially since the number of females in competitive single seat racing is so low.
While I can see valid points in the criticism, I see no harm in giving it a try. There is a definite need for female racing drivers and if the W Series does nothing else than inspire more young girls to be racing drivers I think it will have done a good job.
It is also worth remembering that if there was a female racing driver who was good enough to be in the top level of motorsport, she would already have a seat. I’m sure that any F1 team would love to have a female in one of their cars, for the publicity alone. Currently Tatiana Calderón is the most advanced female in motorsport, competing in Formula 2. While she has not performed terribly so far, there has not to much to shout about either.
I hope that people give the W Series a chance. There have been such a small number of females progressing that a system change such as this could be needed.
AronBell & Cars 