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The first all-female single seater Championship, the W Series, has just announced it has entered into administration. Here is everything we know so far.
Jamie Chadwick (#55) won all three editions of the W Series (Image Credit: Reuters)The W Series will no longer run unless an injection of funding can be found in the coming days. The all-female series has struggled to stay afloat for the past year, and it seems as though the ship has been sinking for quite some time.
One of the administrators, Kevin Ley, weighed in on the situation following his appointment along with Henry Shinners of Evelyn Partners LLP. He said: “The news will be upsetting for the Company’s employees and drivers together with the worldwide supporters of the championship. The Company had been unable to commit to the 2023 race season due to its liquidity position.”
“The directors had been in discussions with various parties to provide additional funding together with a potential sale of the business. Unfortunately, these discussions did not progress.”
The joint administrators are still keen to find anyone interested in resurrecting the series. Ley added: “We are seeking expressions of interest in the business and assets of the Company. We would ask that any interest is registered with us as quickly as possible.”
“The Joint Administrators will be looking to support any staff impacted by the Administration, given the financial position of the Company, with making and progressing any claims with the Redundancy Payments Office.”
W Series’ demise
There were talks of a women-only open wheel motorsport event as early as 2017. With opportunities for female racers limited in the highest levels of motorsport, namely Formula 1, the W Series was met with much praise in its inaugural season two years later.
Not everyone was as excited however. Somewhat significant was the opposition from select female racing drivers. Current F3 driver Sophia Floersch lamented it’s existence, calling it a “step back on a sporting level” and “not the way to help women” in motorsport.
All three seasons were dominated by Jamie Chadwick, who now finds herself in INDY NXT. The 2020 campaign was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic while the final season last year was ended prematurely due to insufficient funds.
The F1 Academy has all but taken off where the W Series has unfortunately come crashing down. Headed by former Williams reserve driver Susie Wolff, the Championship is doing its bit in encouraging girls all over the world to dream and enter the world of motorsport.
Feature Image Credit: Sam Bloxham/W Series