The New Women-Only Single-Seater Race Series Is Dividing Opinion
You've heard our mission, now hear from some of the people behind #WSeries. We believe anyone with talent, passion and commitment should have a chance in motorsport. We're here to create those chances. #RethinkRacing pic.twitter.com/Bk2DiMKxJU
— W Series (@WSeriesRacing) October 10, 2018
The motorsport world’s newest single-seater racing series has just been announced. It’s called W Series, and there’s a crucial difference between it and other junior Formulas: the championship is exclusively for female entrants.
The series will be taking to tracks around Europe for the debut 2019 season, expanding to circuits elsewhere in the world in the years that follow. It’s also free to enter, so long as the entrant can pass a “Rigorous pre-selection programme/examination involving on-track testing, simulator appraisal, technical engineering tests, fitness trials,” the series organisers say.
So, getting a seat in one of the F3-spec cars will be based on driving talent and driving talent alone, without the ability to snare sponsorship being a factor. There’s also a $1.5 million prize pot for competitors, with the champion claiming a third of that.
However, the idea has dramatically split opinion in the racing world on the day of the announcement, with many from the sport - women racing drivers included - voicing support and concerns for the series.
I’ve won and been on the podium in every series I’ve raced in. So what’s stopping me reaching the very top?
— Abbie Eaton (@AbbieEaton44) October 10, 2018
Not my ability. It’s lack of Money.
Why waste money on a segregation? Invest in the already successful female racers that NEED the money. #MoneyMakingScheme #WSeries
Fully funded, same cars. A great opportunity for female drivers to try and make a step on the ladder and a leap into the sport. No worries about funding and getting the chance to compete in a sport that we love. #WSeries #RethinkRacing @WSeriesRacing https://t.co/aEVlAtr5Cv
— Alice Powell (@alicepowell) October 10, 2018
So, support talent. Help racers race in F4, F3, GP3, GP2, sports cars, touring cars. Help talented racers keep racing at appropriate levels for their experience, in real championships, where they can get real results. Don’t force them into segregation for your own ends. https://t.co/WoOgLyPT43
— Pippa Mann (@PippaMann) October 10, 2018
Many divided opinions, but personally I feel that any additional opportunity to race is positive ✅ As long as I can continue to live my dream and fulfil my ambition to race at the highest level of motorsport, then I’m happy! 😃 https://t.co/M5ceEGKe7G
— Jamie Chadwick (@JamieChadwick55) October 10, 2018
The argument from many is that money and resources would be better spent on supporting female drivers struggling for funding in existing series. “Why waste money on a segregation? Invest in the already successful female racers that NEED the money,” multiple British GT winner and driver for The Grand Tour Abbie Eaton Tweeted, while IndyCar driver Pippa Mann - who’s written extensively about the subject of a women-only series before - said: “Help talented racers keep racing at appropriate levels for their experience, in real championships, where they can get real results.”
W Series claims that a large part of its mission is to get more women interested in entering the male-dominated sport in the first place. “At the heart of W Series’ DNA is the firm belief that women can compete equally with men in motorsport. However, an all-female series is essential in order to force greater female participation,” it says.
Notice some people have misunderstood the premise behind this series: message isn’t that women can’t compete with men. I believe it’s about creating a platform to encourage more women to race. Would be great for F1 grid to one day have a woman with Lewis or Max level of talent! https://t.co/C2XasK22Z6
— Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) October 10, 2018
Think I’m more with @PippaMann. Surely it would be better to take all that money and create a Red Bull style support ladder backing women at all levels. They could put @JadeEdwards9 into BTCC for starters!! https://t.co/O27beNuztf
— Tiff Needell (@tiff_tv) October 10, 2018
At this stage, it’s hard to predict how the concept will pan out. We’ll certainly be watching with interest.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
I think the biggest thing I dislike about this is that it casts a shadow over their skill. If they were just as good as the guys then they wouldn’t need a gender segregated feeder series and it may just make people say “Oh, she could only compete in that segregated series.” I guess we’ll see what the laptimes are like compared to the F3 grid when it happens.
well they don’t NEED it. It’s just an extra option they can opt into. This wasn’t made with ill intent.
I think its kind of stupid but why call it the W series? Its just so uncreative.
Call me whatever you want but I definetly know waaaay more guys that are into cars than girls.
Dividing people even more
The car community is the least sexist/racist community theres no need to divide us sure there is some idiots but theres that in every community, if your talented and willing to put in the money you can do it.
I think this is a huge step backwards! All the work that has been put in to give women a chance in motorsport, they have everything they need and the skill to race with men I’ve seen women dominate a number of different race series. But now there’s a championship only for women. I can’t speak for female racing drivers but I would suspect it makes you feel like less of a driver if you have to race in an all female series, I believe it’s already started to damage the confidence of young female drivers as they feel they are not good enough and have to race in a female only series.
They don’t HAVE to. It’s just an extra option. smh feminist
Waz da point?
Since when was F1 or LMP1 or Indycar or any Motorsport only for males? Don’t see the need for this tbh. Any woman with enough ability would be able to make it to the other Motorsports anyways
yes