W Series is a single-seater racing championship exclusively for female drivers that was founded in 2018. The series aims to promote women in motorsports and provide them with equal opportunities to compete against their male counterparts. The first season was held in 2019, and the championship has grown in popularity since then.
The idea for the W Series was conceived by British racing driver David Coulthard and the chief executive of the series, Catherine Bond Muir. They recognized the need for a platform to encourage more women to participate in motorsports and provide them with a clear pathway to progress to the top levels of the sport.
David Coulthard was born on March 27, 1971, in Twynholm, Scotland. He began karting at a young age and progressed to single-seater racing, winning the Formula Ford 1600 championship in 1989. Coulthard made his debut in Formula One in 1994 with the Williams team and went on to race for McLaren and Red Bull Racing. He won 13 Grand Prix races during his career and finished runner-up in the Drivers' Championship on two occasions. After retiring from Formula One in 2008, Coulthard remained involved in motorsports as a commentator and analyst for various broadcasters. In 2018, he partnered with Catherine Bond Muir to launch the W Series, which he described as a "progressive step" towards promoting gender equality in motorsports.
Catherine Bond Muir is a lawyer and sports executive who has worked in various roles in the sports industry. She previously served as the CEO of the International Skating Union and was a director of the London 2012 Olympic bid. Bond Muir was also a founding member of the Women's Sport Trust, an organization that aims to raise the visibility and increase the impact of women's sport. Together, Coulthard and Bond Muir created the W Series with the aim of providing a platform for female drivers to showcase their talent and prove their abilities.
The W Series championship is open to female drivers aged 18 and above from all around the world. The drivers are selected through a rigorous selection process that includes physical fitness tests, simulator assessments, and on-track evaluations. The championship provides the drivers with identical cars, so they can compete on an equal footing. The current car used in the series is the Tatuus T-318, which is a Formula 3 spec car.
The W Series aims to provide a platform for female drivers to showcase their talent and prove their abilities. The championship comprises six rounds, with races held across Europe and North America. The inaugural season in 2019 was won by British driver Jamie Chadwick, who has since gone on to become a development driver for the Williams F1 team.
The W Series has received mixed reactions from the motorsports community. Some believe that it is a positive step towards promoting gender equality in the sport, while others argue that segregating female drivers into a separate championship is counterproductive. However, the championship has been successful in providing female drivers with opportunities to compete at a high level and gain recognition for their talents.
The 2021 season saw a significant increase in interest and viewership for the W Series. The championship was broadcast in over 175 countries, and the races were watched by millions of people around the world. The championship was won by British driver Alice Powell, who dominated the season with three wins and three podium finishes.
The W Series has announced plans to expand the championship and introduce new races in different parts of the world. The championship also aims to promote diversity and inclusivity in the sport and has committed to supporting female drivers from diverse backgrounds.
In conclusion, the W Series is an exciting addition to the world of motorsports. It provides female drivers with a platform to showcase their talent and compete at a high level. The championship has been successful in promoting gender equality in the sport and inspiring more women to participate in motorsports. The future looks bright for the W Series, and it will be interesting to see how the championship develops in the years to come.
It is really interesting, right. Would you like to try it? I might...let me know in comments down bellow!
Till next time,
Natalie Kika
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