Women on pathway to Formula racing remains up for discussion heading into ground breaking 2021 season. #1 The highly successful all-female WSeries will race in co-junction with Formula One Championship across 8 Race venues. #2 The established pipe-line of Ferrari Driver Academy will provide placement for single female driver to race F4 Championship under Iron Lynx Race Team.
For certain, both pathways provide women opportunity to further develop single-seater racing skills with all-out-support on track. And, both initiatives prompt to change how women fulfill single-seater racing potential which has been traditional focused on promoting males.
Differences are: WSeries works to realize goals via all-female Championship which pits best female drivers against their gendered peers, to global audience on secured Media platforms. Most significantly, the Series strategy worked to unprecedented proportions in debut year, 2019, creating knock-on effect attracting F1 attention to include WSeries within world’s highest profile Championship.
Equally, FIA approved granting of super license points for 2020 Championship (which was cancelled due to COVID) carrying over to 2021 season. 15 points will be awarded to 2021 WSeries winner to go towards total of 40 points which are required to qualify to race in Formula One.
Route to female driver placement in Formula One racing has been established by Ferrari Driver Academy selecting winner of FIA Women in Motorsport Commission initiative ‘Rising Stars Programme’ Maya Weug to race in Italian F4 Championship 2021. At 16 years of age, the first female to join the highly prestigious Brand not only represents break of tradition but also emphasizes a planned system of driver development up the ladder of Formula racing.
Such a selection means Maya will be racing against male peers. Maya will be focused on her performance on the track, knowing full well that her career resides on results produced – within Team structure. The strategy has implications two-fold. #1 Maya has gained opportunity to race within pyramid structure of rising through Formula racing ranks- fully supported to advance racing career. #2 Maya has gained opportunity to work within Race Team, whose partners, sponsors, Brand affiliations aid Team evolvement within the sport.
To debate whether either initiative proves the-be-all-end-all of enabling Women stronger foothold in single-seater racing is to miss the point- both programmes win on all counts. The overall objective to realize women increased options to gain entry to race Formula One remains the product of the initial goal. Which brings the question back down to: at some point females need to win that spot.
2019 WSeries winner Jamie Chadwick proved to all – the Brit has what it takes to win on track, under pressure, against stiff competition. And, most likely, Jamie will again prove force to be reckoned with racing 2021 WSeries Championship, along with likes of selected 17 female drivers. Will another Championship win be enough to secure placement within top Team in Formula racing? Will 2nd WSeries crowned Champion push change even further, forcing Race Teams to take on a Women driver? And, will the all-female-Championship be enough to advance women racing F3 single-seaters when line-up on grid still resides on performance in the car rather than which gender?
No doubt jury remains out on debate. No doubt, women competing within WSeries remain super grateful they receive fully supported race time at highest level of Formula racing. And, no doubt, Maya whose selection is just the beginning of advancement within her racing career, cares less about being a girl racing guys, and more about racing for results on the track.
Header photo: Jamie Chadwick 2019 winner of WSeries Photo Credit: Steve Hindle.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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