F1 Academy Series for Women in 2023 – what does this mean for WSeries? The initiative announced by Formula One provides opportunity for young talented female driver’s to experience, learn and develop formula racing knowledge to progress to higher levels of competition – as stated- ‘including W Series, Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3’.
The programme will operate within the structure of 5 Teams run within current F2 and F3 Teams, offering 3 seats per Team for 15 female driver’s. Racing will consist of 7 events with 3 races per event – 21 races in total for 15 female grid – plus 15 days of testing sessions. Budget cap will be €150,000 with driver’s fronting this amount and F1 contributing equal figure with Teams making up any differences in costs.
Cars will be F4 specs: Tatuus T421 chassis, turbocharged engines delivering up to 165 horsepower, along with Pirelli 13 inch tyres. Track-side operations will include learning technical, physical and mental aspects of formula racing from established Team personal.
All of which presents exceptional opportunity for young women who have progressed through Karting ranks, seeking next step of racing career ladder, albeit backed by financial support. Taken as next tier to FIA’s Girls on Track programme – which has established operatives of placing selected young females within Ferrari Driver Academy- F1 Academy Series further endorses strategy to increase diversity and inclusivity within formula racing.
So, where does WSeries slot in? As an independent F3 all female Championship, WSeries was established to provide 18 female drivers opportunities to further develop their race-craft against their peers – fully funded including prize money. From debut year in 2019, to 2021, and 2022 running as support category at selected Formula One Rounds, WSeries has elevated driver’s performance and profile to new heights, not only on and off the track, but for women in Motorsport around the world.
All of which begs the question, given the financial circumstances raised prior to the end of 2022 WSeries season – which ended prematurely due to lack of funding – will the all female Series slot into next season as stand alone event, or could the Championship pivot and align with Teams already established within Formula 3 and Formula 2?
Let’s start with the facts: 1) top 10 WSeries driver’s are more than ready and capable of racing within F3 and F2 – either as full season driver’s or reserve driver’s. 2) WSeries driver’s including rookies have gained enough experience to know what is needed on track, what is required within Team environment, what mental processes are worked through pre-during-and post racing, and what constitutes best possible performance when lights go green.
3) WSeries has raised the profile of women driver’s and Series as support category for F1 this season which in turn increased exposure for sponsors and Brand manufacturers. 4) WSeries has capitulated barriers which have prevented women to achieve goals on track through the development of the Championship from 6 races in debut season to 7 races in 2022.
One option for WSeries would be to hold the Championship in co-junction with Europe’s DTM Series as initiated in 2019. Such a move would reduce costs and logistical expenses which have ramped up financials this season, while sustaining founding principles of providing F3 racing for 18 selected female driver’s.
Another option would be to pivot, to take up the mantle and align with Teams receptive of providing a seat to WSeries driver within current F2 and F3 Teams. WSeries would cover financial expenses for each female – either in full season seat or as reserve driver travelling and testing at F2 and F3 track sessions.
This initiative would break away from an all-female Championship, placing women on track with male competitors – yet under the umbrella of WSeries Development Academy in partnership with specified F3 and F2 Teams. Super license points would be available, along with WSeries sponsors promoted on cars and clothing. Driver’s racing would be determined – either on rotation basis to accommodate 18 driver’s, or scaled down – delivering end goal of incorporating women competing in Formula Championships.
Whether by forces outside WSeries control to pull back from completing 2022 season, or whether by holding onto knife-edge challenge of attaining funding for rest of 2022 season and beyond, the time is ripe to exploit the opening of pitching WSeries driver’s with the rest of the grid. Whether the Series organizers run with change, or divert back to original plan, remains open for negotiation.
Header photo: F1 Academy Series for Women 2023 Image: F1.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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